Asante Kotoko's hopes of making a winning return to action in the Ghana Special Competition were dashed after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bechem United on Wednesday.
Ultimately, it was two first-half goals that decided the matchday 10 tie at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Prince Adu gave visiting Bechem the lead before Abdul Fatawu Safiu netted his seventh goal of the campaign to share the spoils.
Kotoko, who were not in action on matchday nine on Sunday, still sit second in Zone A but now trail leaders Medeama by five points, as the latter beat Ashanti Gold 1-0 courtesy of Isaac Agyenim Boateng's strike.
Elsewhere in the zone, seventh-placed Berekum Chelsea and fifth-positioned Eleven Wonders played out a 1-1 draw at Golden City Park. Alex Asamoah scored on 62 minutes to put visiting Wonders 1-0 up but Zackaria Fuseina netted in the fifth minute of stoppage to restore parity.
In Zone B, Hearts of Oak's winning run was halted by Liberty Professionals in what ended in a 0-0 stalemate at Accra Sports Stadium.
Despite dropping two points, the Phobians still hold on to the first position as closest contenders Karela United could only manage a 2-2 draw against Tema-based Inter Allies.
Karela's Diawisie Taylor fired home twice to take his goal-tally to six while Samuel Armah and Abdul Nassiru Hamzah scored for the hosts.
Wafa's 3-1 triumph over Dreams FC was enough to send the Academy Boys level on 18 points with Karela. The win was down to two goals from Haruna Jamal and another from Augustine Boakye. Ibrahim Issah registered the consolation for second-from-bottom Dreams.
In Cape Coast, sixth-placed Ebusua Dwarfs and fourth-positioned Elmina Sharks settled for a goalless draw ahead of games against Hearts and Liberty respectively.