Nigeria Premier League leaders Kano Pillars came from a goal down to defeat Kaduna United and remain on course to defend the league title for a second successive season.

Emmanuel Onuh gave Kaduna United a shock 16th minute lead after latching on to a spilled ball from Pillars goalkeeper Thoephilus Afelokhai to score.

The champions however equalised two minutes before the interval through Manir Ubale’s penalty after Ezekiel Ubah was brought down in the area.

Ubale had a chance to put Pillars ahead just before the hour mark when he was put through on goal, only for the Kaduna United keeper to deny the midfielder.

Pillars eventually took the lead six minutes to the end through Rabiu Ali’s close range effort as the league leaders remained a point clear on top of the standings with 58 points.

Wolves follow in second spot with 57 points following a 7-1 demolition of Crown FC while Enyimba remained in the title race courtesy of Mfon Udoh’s 18th goal of the season in the 1-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors in Aba.

The top three all play away in their next matches on Sunday, with Enyimba visiting relegated Nembe City, Wolves facing a trip to meet Sharks in Port-Harcourt and Kano Pillars technically being the away team when it meets El-Kanemi in Kano.

Elsewhere, Heartland goalkeeper Chinedu Udeh made several crucial saves – including from a late Peter Onyekachi penalty – to earn the Owerri club a 1-1 draw at Abia Warriors in Umuahia.

In other matches, Osaguana Ighodaro scored his 16th of the season in a 1-0 win for Rangers over Sharks, Tunde Adeniji scored twice to give Sunshine Stars a 2-0 win over Gombe United while FC Taraba defeated Lobi Stars by the same score.