Hearts of Oak were once again left frustrated as they played out a 0-0 draw against Karela United in Round 28 of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The result does little to ease the pressure on the Phobians, who have now won just one of their last eight league matches, and it leaves their top-four hopes hanging in the balance.
Despite enjoying more possession and playing in front of a home crowd, Hearts of Oak failed to make their dominance count. Clear-cut chances were few and far between, and their attacking struggles continued to show, with the team failing to score in five of their last eight games.
The stalemate sees Hearts move up slightly to 6th place with 42 points, but their form remains a major concern ahead of a crucial clash with rivals Asante Kotoko on Matchday 30.
For Karela United, the result represents a valuable point in their fight for survival. The draw lifts them out of the relegation zone and into 15th place with 29 points, providing a much-needed morale boost as the season heads into its final stretch.
Having failed to score in their last seven away matches prior to this game, Karela will take confidence from a disciplined defensive performance that earned them a clean sheet in Accra.
Hearts now turn their attention to the highly anticipated Super Clash against Asante Kotoko. With both giants struggling for form, the match promises to be a fierce battle not just for pride, but for positioning on the league table as the season nears its climax.