Metfone C-League newcomers Albirex Niigata grabbed their first points of a torrid start to Cambodia’s top tier with a 2-1 defeat of free-falling Western University at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday night.

Western had held the upper hand when Oeun Kosal opened the scoring after 59 minutes. However, an 80th-minute equaliser from Run Rany and a 90th-minute winner from Kazuki Tatsuta helped Albirex secure a morale-boosting victory, although they remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Western wallow a point above the drop zone on five points, but have a game in hand over 11th-placed Kirivong Sok Sen Chey.