Crown’s Leng Makara (left) vies with Senate Secretariat’s Puch Savuth in their Metfone C-League match at Olympic Stadium. Photograph: Sreng Meng Srun/Phnom Penh Post

It was the desperate shot of elixir a struggling team like Preah Khan Reach needed to redeem themselves. The military police-backed PKR tenaciously hung on to a ninth minute goal by Prak Mony Odom to down Hun Sen Cup winners Naga Corp 1-0 in a Metfone C-League tie at Olympic Stadium yesterday.

The all-important strike came off a free-kick and rest of the way, two-time Cup winners PKR had to depend on their finer virtues to defend that slender but comforting lead. There were chances to build on their advantage and there was also lurking danger of letting it slip.

In the end, PKR’s tenacity counted for double and Naga had to carry home more regrets than refreshing memories. The 2009 champs had their share of exchanges, space, possession and several misses too.

The victory brought about a cheery change in mood after PKR’s sloppy 5-1 loss to the Police.

Four-time league champions Phnom Penh Crown blanked debutants Senate Secretariat 5-0 in yesterday’s second fixture.

The in-form Leng Makara, who scored the match leveller against Naga last week, scored a first-half double to mark the victory path for Crown. Khim Borey’s 48th minute goal straddled a Sos Souhana brace in their runaway victory.

On Saturday, title holders Boeung Ket raced to a comfortable victory over Ministry of National Defence to stay on top of the business unbeaten in four starts.

It was as if Boeung Ket could do nothing wrong and MND nothing right.

When the game was 11 minutes old, Momoh Degule Sumaila found the net for the champs. Though the Army men managed to keep their rivals to that one goal, substitute Chan Vathanaka quickly added to their woes early after the resumption. His 48th-minute goal doubled the lead for Boeung Ket.

Burdened with two unanswerable strikes, MND ceded more ground when the consistent Bisan George struck his ninth goal of the season to effectively slam the door on a possible comeback. Pov Phearith’s injury time goal was a poor consolation in the end for MND.

Later on Saturday in the battle between two mid-divisioners, Kirivong Sok Sen Chey proved too wily and strong for Build Bright United. The visitors from Takeo won 4-1, scoring twice in each half.

David Njoku and Mam Sophal were bang on target in the first 14 minutes of play with goals coming five minutes apart. The second half honours were shared by Hou Sambo, who struck the side’s third with substitute Savoan Ratanakvisa completing the tally in the 88th minute. Pich Sina pulled one back in the 59th minute for the University-supported side.

The weekend’s only fixture at Old Stadium saw Asia Europe University hold National Police Commissary to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

A Tith Dina strike on 12 minutes got the ball rolling for the Police, but new Japanese signing An Jinya failed to put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute by missing a penalty.

Two minutes later and Asia Europe brought things back level through Sary Mathnorotin, and neither team could grab a winner late on as the tie finished with points shared.