Striker Hassan Kajoke converted a penalty for Nyasa Big Bullets to beat Red Lions 1-0 and go three points clear at the TNM Super League summit on Thursday afternoon.
Bullets ended their four-game winless run across all competitions after having lost the Cecafa Kagame Cup final to Express of Uganda, then got booted out of FDH Cup by Silver Strikers earlier this month.
Things turned from bad to worse for the league defending champions who went on to lose1-0 to Moyale Barracks FC then drew 0-0 with strugglers Mzuzu Warriors in the Northern Region of Malawi over the weekend.
Therefore, Thursday’s second round league game at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, presented Zimbabwean coach Kalisto Pasuwa an opportunity to right the wrongs of the recent past games.
And it was Kajoke who rose to the occasion, earning the penalty after he was fouled then stepped forward to send Lions goalkeeper Jacob Kaunda the wrong way in the 71st minute.
Three minutes later, Lions thought they had equalised but striker Royal Bokosi had his effort ruled out for an offside.
Kajoke eventually made way for Precious Phiri whereas Blessings Mpokera stepped in the shoes of right-back Gomezgani Chirwa.
During the game, Lions tried to add firepower upfront when they replaced strikers Mathews Simbeye and Mathews Boloweza with Brown Gondwe and Humphreys Minandi.
Bullets held on to their slender win and are on course to defend the title of the 16-team elite league.
Bullets have 52 points from 25 games and they have five games to go having played similar number of games with second-placed Silver Strikers.
Lions are on 10th place with 34 points from 26 games.