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Before kickoff, an adrenaline-overwhelmed Hearts fan broke his way unto the pitch, run all the way across to the opposite goal and laid down his Rainbow-coloured Hearts flag. Interestingly, in that very same goal, Kotoko scored the first goal of the game � a goal that would later turn out to be the decider in a closely fought game filled with fierce battles and entertaining football. The goal was the result of a beautiful piece of linkup play; Yahaya Mohammed laying on a ball for Seidu Bancey, who had been wasteful hitherto. Mohammed got himself in between the ball and his marker � and he was seriously marked right from the blast of the whistle � setting up an onrushing Bancey who did not hesitate, hitting in a screamer from 25 yards. Kotoko�s interim CEO, Opoku �Lord Zico� Nti, who had taken his place amongst fans in the VIP section, burst out in ecstacy. He had been part of the numerous fans that had moaned about everyone of Bancey�s misses prior to, and his sudden expression of relief said it all. Prior to the goal play was balanced, with both teams building systematically and passing very well. There was little space for both sets of strikers to maneuver; Selasi Adjei and Romeo Agban of Hearts were kept in check by Kotoko�s no-nonsense defensive duo of Kwabena Adusei and Abeiku Ainooson, with Seidu Bancey and Yahaya Mohammed virtually being followed everywhere on the pitch by Hearts� tough tackling duo of Abraziz Abankwa and Robin Gnagne. As play progressed, the tightness eased, with both teams looking more dangerous in attack. Hearts� Romeo Agban looked busy, hitting a shot over and wide consecutively. Kotoko�s midfield duo of Jordan Opoku and Michael Akuffo also took the initiative; Jordan coming close with a clever looping ball from the right that almost beat goalkeeper Tetteh Lugard, and Akuffo shooting from 30 yards. Hearts coach David Duncan, in his usual white short-sleeved shirt, had been the more emotional of the two coaches, gesticulating emotionally from his touchline with every miss. He almost seemed impatient; desperate to score. And given the huge number of Hearts fans that had turned up and were cheering on the team on, a disappointment was unthinkable. The pressure to deliver was huge. So huge that he made a bizarre decision, pulling out striker Selasi Adjei on 37 minutes. The early substitution seemed to reflect his disappointment with the young striker�s output � a sort of output that was not too bad nor too god, dividing opinion amongst fans present. Selasi had not missed any glaring chance nor misplaced a key pass, but Duncan seemed sure about what he had seen. His 10-match league unbeaten run was on the line. Immediately after that substitution, Agban almost grabbed the equalizer for Hearts, only denied by a spectacular save from Kotoko goalie Isaac Amoako. The agility with which he dived was as jaw-dropping as Agban�s astute curl on the ball. Duncan was at it again as soon as the second half began, making a double substitution; Sampson Cudjoe and Gilbert Fiamenyo coming on for Romeo Agban and Gabriel Darko. The new formation shape had Winful Cobbinah � who had started in an unusual central midfield role � moving upfront, playing in the whole behind Fiamenyo. Injuries to Stephen Tetteh and substantive skipper Moro Abubakar meant Hearts started the game with a makeshift central midfield duo of captain Nuru Suley and Cobbinah. And they paid the price for it, with their lack of a ball playing midfield resulting in Kotoko winning the battle to control the middle of the park for most of the game. As expected, Hearts had the momentum into the new half, controlling possession and looking urgent in their build up. Kotoko coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani responded to Hearts� potentially dangerous dominance � pulling out attacker Richard Mpong and bring on defensive midfielder Godfred Asante. Play opened up, both teams going hard at each other; attack after attack, counter attack after counter attack. Yahaya Mohammed continued to be a handful for the Hearts defence, almost always finding the slightest space to cause havoc. The midfielder turned striker, who bagged 15 goals in all competitions in his new found role on loan at Amidaus Professionals last season, was Kotoko�s biggest threat. Meanwhile, at the other end, Hearts were huffing and puffing. Winful Cobbinah gave everything and was arguable their best player on the day. Fiamenyo struggled, whilst Thomas Abbey grew into the game, once coming close with a shot after cutting in from the right. On 79 minutes, Hearts had a free kick, which Cobbinah stood behind. He waited as the Hearts fans in the packed stadium upped their voices, singing the club�s anthem. Cobbinah lashed it in, the ball almost going in but for a few Kotoko bodies that were on hand to clear. The losse ball fell to Robin Gnagne, who slid in with a shot that rattled the upright. Kotoko were busy trying to capitalize on counter attacks, missing a glorious chance after Prince Baffoe set up Yahaya Mohammed in the box. Mohammed, unmarked and under no pressure, took his time and placed the ball over the bar. At a point, it seemed like a Winful Cobbinah against Yahaya Mohammed, as both players looked the most influential for both teams in the game. Cobbinah set up Fiamenyo with a beautifully chipped through pass which the burly striker hit over the cross bar. Three minutes from time, coach Dramani took out goal scorer Seidu Bancey, bringing on defender Ben Adama � a move in a bid to protect a lead that seemed to be drawing closer and closer to a victory. Fans sat on tenterhooks in a tense climax to the game, with the anxiety visibly drawn on the faces of both coaches. But Kotoko held on to secure victory. Hearts of Oak XI: Tetteh Lugard � Owusu Bempah, Abraziz Abankwa, Robin Gnagne, Kweku Andoh � Thomas Abbey, Nuru Suley [c], Winful Cobinnah, Gabriel Darko [Gilbert Fiamenyo 46�] � Romeo Agban [Sampson Cudjoe 48�], Selasi Adjei [Eric Kumi 38�] Asante Kotoko XI: Isaac Amoako � Eric Donkor, Kwabena Adusei, Abeiku Ainooson, Christopher Bonney � Richard Mpong [Godfred Asante 58�], Michael Akuffo [c], Jordan Opoku, Bobie Ansah [Prince Baffoe 63�] � Yahaya Mohammed, Seidu Bancey [ Ben Adama 87']