Hearts of Oak's challenge for the summit suffered another blow on Sunday when they lost 2-0 in the Accra derby to Liberty Professionals.
A brace by James Abban in the second half at the Accra Sports Stadium condemned the Phobians to their second league defeat as they finished the game with 10 men after Owusu Sefa was sent off in the 44th minute of the first half.
Hearts are now fourth on the standings and three points off the top after rivals, Asante Kotoko won today to regain the summit.
Abban gave Liberty the opener in the 64th minute as Hearts struggled to match their neighbours.
With a man down and the first half loss of dependable defender, Osei Bonsu due to injury, the Phobians were exposed at the back as they struggled to contain the Liberty attack.
Hearts were stretched and in injury time of the second half, Abban struck the second from a Michael Helegbe corner kick to end any hope Hearts had of salvaging a point.
