Dubai: Al Ahli were dethroned from the top position in the league table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Nasr in the Dubai derby.

Al Ahli lost two crucial points to their traditional rivals, which pushed them to the third spot with 27 points in the UAE's Professional League.

Al Jazira top the table with 29 points followed by Al Ain, who also have the same tally as Al Ahli but a better goal difference.

Al Ain could have also faced the same fate as Al Ahli had not their Senegalese striker Andrea Sangahour scored a last-gasp winner against Sharjah.

Al Ain supporters were worried over the absence of their attacking midfielder Gorge Valdivia of Chile, who was injured. But their victory over Sharjah proved that they are playing as a unit.

The Al Ain striker Andrea Diaz said: "Winning against Sharjah proved that Al Ain is playing as a team. Football is played as a team and not a one-man show.

"We have a very good team and I am sure we will fight hard in the coming matches to clinch the title," said the Brazilian striker after the match.

Al Nasr's new coach Frank Pajelsdorf provided the turnaround for the team even though he has been at the helm only for a short period.

Al Nasr gave hosts Al Ahli a run for their money. The German coach worked hard to reorganise his troops and it paid dividends. His well-organised defence, dynamic midfielders and sharpshooters at the front broke Al Ahli's defences on many an occasion.

The visitors could have returned with full points had not their goalkeeper Abdullah Mussa, who played for Al Ahli in the last few seasons, committed a serious error which resulted in Al Ahli levelling the scores six minutes from time.

Al Wasl jumped to the fifth place while Al Shabab returned to their winning ways by edging out Al Shaab 2-1.

Al Khaleej and Al Shaab exchanged places at the bottom. Al Khaleej, with new coach Egyptian Mosheer Osman, earned one point from Al Dhafra to move to 11th spot with eight points, while Al Shaab dropped to the last place with seven after losing to Al Shabab.

Ajman's unbeaten five-match run came to an end after they lost 3-2 to Al Wasl. Al Wasl goalkeeper Majid Naser was sent off for punching Mohammad Bin Rabeh of Ajman on his face and will miss the next two matches