Lautoka leads the Digicel Premier League points table after edging Suva in the battle of the two cities at Churchill Park yesterday.
Star striker Sairusi Nalaubu once again proved to be the star for the Blues scoring the winner in the 37th minute.
Lautoka has opened up a two-point gap ahead of Rewa and Nadi with eight points, Ba, Suva and Labasa with seven points, Navua on four points and Nadroga with two points.
In other DPL results yesterday, Navua upset Ba 1-0, Rewa downed Nadroga 3-0 while Nadi and Labasa played to a nil-all draw.
Meanwhile, Nalaubu is tied with Nadi’s Sakaraia Naisua in the race for the DPL golden boot award.
Both players have scored three goals each after five matches.
In the match against Suva yesterday, Nalaubu followed up on a long overhead pass and kneed the ball between two Suva defenders slamming it past Atunaisa Naucukidi.
Lautoka led 1-0 at the break.
Benaminio Mateinaqara made a brilliant save midway in the spell after Alex Saniel found himself clear inside the box.
Suva piled on the pressure in the final 20 minutes but could not find the breakthrough.
Newly-appointed Lautoka coach Imdad Ali said Suva was good team.
Ali said he knew that Suva would play the 4-3-3 pattern so they strengthened their defence.
“Benaminio stood out and was the man of the match,” he said.
“If you don’t take your chances you don’t win,” Suva coach Babs Khan said.
“We brought in two strikers, Alex Saniel and Azariah Soromon, but they can’t jel overnight.”
Lautoka: Benaminio Mateinaqara, Marika Rawasoi, Zibraaz Sahib, Afraz Ali, Sitiveni Cavulagi, Malakai Rakula, Edward Aaron, Muni Shivam Naidu, Sairusi Nalaubu, Kolinio Sivoki, Wilson Doedoke.
Suva: Atunaisa Naucukidi, Simione Nabenu, Remueru Takiate, Ramzan Khan, Azariah Soromon, Ravinesh Karan Singh, Joeli Ranitu, Alex Saniel, Shahil Dave, Filipe Baravilala, Laisenia Naioko.
