Abahani kept up the chase of leaders Mohammedan with a 1-0 win against Rahmatganj MFS while defending champions Bashundhara Kings lost more ground with a 1-1 draw against Fortis FC in the two matches of the Bangladesh Premier League on Saturday.

Abahani, chasing a seventh professional league title, got the all-important goal through defender Shakil Hossain's volley from inside the box following a tee-up from Asaduzzaman Bablu in the 67th minute of the match at the Shaheed Bir Shrestha Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.

Maruful Haque's charges, who have scored only 11 goals in eight matches, could have doubled the lead three minutes later Mahadi Yousuf Khan was brought down by Taaj Uddin inside the Rahmatganj box. But Mohammad Ibrahim, who has scored two goals in the league including a spot-kick, failed to keep his shot on target from 12 yards.

Despite the miss, Abahani held on to their slender lead and took their tally to 19 points from eight matches, five behind Mohammedan and four clear of Rahmatganj.

Fortis FC players celebrate Mohammad Abdullah's (C) equaliser against Bashundhara Kings. Photo: BFF

Five-time defending champions Bashundhara, meanwhile, were held by a spirited Forits FC at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.

Topu Barman gave the hosts an 11th-minute lead with a glancing header at near post on a corner from Miguel Ferreira for his second goal of the campaign but Mohammad Abdullah's fine finish in the 63rd minute – a curling effort from the left side of the box – earned Fortis their first points against Kings in the history of the Bangladesh Premier League.

Both teams had chances to get a winning goal in the frantic final stages of the match, but neither found the net as Kings fell 10 points behind Mohammedan with 14 points in fourth position. Fortis, meanwhile, moved to sixth with eight points from eight matches.