Gor Mahia’s faint hopes of battling for the Kenyan Premier League title were put off on Saturday after playing out to a 1-1 draw against Nairobi City Stars at the Ruaraka Complex.

Gor had to come from a goal down, Jules Ulimwengu scoring the equalizer after Kevin Okumu’s audacious goal had given City Stars a first half lead.

The result sees Gor Mahia drop to fifth with 40 points, 14 behind league leaders Tusker FC. Meanwhile, Kariobangi Sharks overtook them to go fourth after thrashing relegation fighting Vihiga United 4-0 in Thika.

Eric Kapaito helped himself to a brace to stretch further in his golden boot hunt while Peter Lwasa and James Mazembe helped themselves to a goal each in the rout. In the earlier kick off in Thika, KCB suffered a major hit in their quest for the title after playing to a 1-1 draw with Wazito.

The bankers had to come from a goal down after Michael Owino had given Wazito the lead. Left back David ‘Messi’ Owino scored the equalizer with a penalty late in the second half.

Gor Mahia keeper Gad Mathews makes a save from Ezekiel Odera’s effort

Back in Nairobi, troubled Gor were hoping to come off with a win to lift their spirits after a tough week that has seen their coach Carlos vaz Pinto resign while Kenneth Muguna, their influential play-maker has ditched the club for Azam FC, two months before his contract ends.

They wanted to get into the City Stars game with some fight, but found themselves playing second fiddle in most of the opening minutes.

City Stars had broken the deadlock in the 21st minute, Okumu scoring off the counter with an audacious dipping shot from the right which caught keeper Gad Mathews by surprise. It was a perfect gift for City Stars who had come close in the 13^th minute when Bolton Omwenga’s ferocious freekick evaded the target by a whisker.

Nairobi City Stars celebrate their goal against Gor Mahia

City Stars had another set piece chance on the half hour mark, this time after former Gor Mahia man Nicholas Kipkurui was hounded down at the edge of the box by Harun Shakava. However, Peter Opiyo saw his freekick go over from a good scoring position.

Gor grew into the game in the final quarter of an hour and they were more adventurous going forward. They should have drawn level just five minutes to the break when off a dicey cross from John Macharia, Ulimwengu headed on target but City Stars keeper Steve Njung’e saved with his trailing foot.

In the second half, Gor pressed the same gas they ended the opening half with and they were on level terms nine minutes after the restart. Keeper Njung’e had pulled yet another vital save to block away Karim Nikiema’s shot but Ulimwengu was fastest to the rebound volleying it home.

Gor Mahia’s Fred Nkata races away from CIty Stars’ Kevin Okumu

After conceding, City Stars made attacking changes refreshing the legs upfront with Timothy Ouma coming in for Elvis Noor while Davis Agesa was introduced for Rodgers Okumu.

The better chances in a competitive final 20 minutes fell on City Stars. Okumu should have done better off a counter when he was released out on the right, but he took too much time on the ball allowing Gor to race back and block his eventual cross.

Omwenga also had another chance with a freekick from the right which curled in with pace and precision, but keeper Gad Mathews collected confidently.

Meanwhile in other results, Ulinzi Stars beat Western Stima 2-1, Kakamega Homeboyz beat Nzoia Sugar via the same margin while Posta Rangers and Sofapaka played to a 1-1 draw in Wundanyi.