Accra Hearts of Oak moved to third on the Ghana Premier League after a 1-0 win away to Hohoe United on Saturday.
Mawuli Wayo secured the points with a stoppage time finish.
Saturday’s victory was the third in the previous five games for Hearts, but the latest was not without sweat.
The news of Black Stars goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s return to the posts for Hearts of Oak put them in high spirits and it showed in how they started the match.
Right after kick off, the visitors went close as Enoch Asubonteng tried to lob the goalkeeper from just outside the penalty area.
But Hohoe United goalkeeper Kwaku Musah was quick off his line and blocked the effort with his chest before completing the clearance.
Six minutes later, Hamza Issah found himself in space on the edge of the area, but chose to dribble instead of shooting. He was quickly fouled by Paul Kwame and the resultant free kick was wasted.
Before Saturday’s match, Hearts of Oak were the least scoring team in the league with 11 goals in 17 matches, and their poor form in front of goal continued as they failed to sustain attacks.
Their hosts, who fired head coach Abdul Rahim Bashiru Tijani in midweek, grew into the game, midway through the first half, but were ultimately indecisive in front of goal.
Half an hour into the game, Guinean import Yoroba Bangoura found himself in space on a counter break, but his pass to Kwadwo Boamah was over hit.
The hosts threatened again when Prince Amevor found Sena Ati on the edge of the area, but his final delivery was poor.
That was the closest either side got to scoring, with both sides tightening up as the first half ended goalles.
Two minutes after the break, Hohoe United captain Safianu Usman, spurned a golden opportunity when his effort from six yards flashed wide.
Hohoe United had lost three and drawn once in their four previous matches, and it was not hard to see why.
They struggled to keep their compure, often rushing their decisions or making the wrong choice altogether despite getting into several decent positions.
In the 70th minute, a Solomon Adomako slip presented Hearts with a golden opportunity to score, but Hamza Issah’s indecisiveness allowed Paul Kwame to clear the ball before he could pull the trigger.
Hearts were almost punished immediately when Benjamin Asare was called into action, producing a fine stop to save Usman’s goal-bound shot after pouncing on a loose ball in the box.
Twelve minutes later, substitute Martin Karikari became the latest to miss when he shot tamely at Hohoe United goalkeeper, Kwaku Musah.
On the cusp of full time, substitute Mawuli Wayo rifled home after controlling the ball calmly in the penalty area.
The goal was met with wild jubilations by the travelling fans.
Hearts have now moved to third place with 31 points from 18 matches, while Hohoe United remain second from bottom with 18 points.
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