FCB Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday left it late to claim maximum points and move four points clear at the top of the FDH Bank Premiership table after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Civil Service United at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.

Substitute Paul Master scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute to break Civil Service United’s stubborn resistance and hand the hosts a crucial victory in their title chase.

Bullets now have 39 points while second-placed Mighty Wanderers have 35 points as they face Karonga United at Karonga Stadium this afternoon.

Third-placed Blue Eagles have 34 points while Silver Strikers, who were held to goalless draw by Kamuzu Barracks yesterday, have 33 points.

The People’s Team had to work hard for the three points against a well-organised Civil side that frustrated them for much of the contest.

Bullets started brightly, with Wongani Lungu testing goalkeeper Rahaman John with a powerful effort just two minutes into the match.

But the goalkeeper produced an excellent save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

However, the hosts struggled to translate their early dominance into clear-cut chances.

Civil captain Righteous Banda attempted to spark his side into life in the 32nd minute, driving forward before sending a dangerous ball into the Bullets penalty area, but goalkeeper Maclean Mwale collected it comfortably.

A minute later, Peter Banda came close to breaking the deadlock with a curling free-kick that narrowly missed the crossbar.

Bullets made their first change in the 34th minute, introducing Misheck Billiat for Peter Banda before the teams went into the break goalless.

Coach Wedson Nyirenda made a double substitution at half-time, bringing on Master and Tinaye Nigel Tsimba for Wongani Lungu and Chawanangwa Gumbo.

The changes improved the hosts’ attacking threat, with Billiat firing narrowly wide in the 52nd minute after combining with Yamikani Mologeni.

Bullets came agonisingly close to scoring in the 60th minute after a defensive lapse by Civil but Tsimba’s weak effort was blocked before George Chaomba’s follow-up was cleared by defender Gracious Kapachika.

Tsimba later missed another opportunity, shooting over the bar in the 72nd minute, before arriving a fraction too late to connect with Billiat’s dangerous cross three minutes later.

Civil also threatened in the closing stages, with Precious Chiudza sending an effort narrowly wide in the 78th minute.

But Bullets finally broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when Misheck Billiat slid the ball to Master just outside the penalty area, and the midfielder made no mistake with a superb finish to give the hosts a crucial lead.