Liberty Professionals moved a step away from the foot of the league with a 2-1 hard fought win over visiting Sekondi Eleven Wise at the Dansoman Carl Reindorf on Wednesday.

With the final stages of the league drawing the best drama in recent years, the final games will be nothing but nerves and heart rending events.

Despite the early morning downpour that made the pitch near soggy, the game took off with a frantic pace as both teams tried to take control in the opening minutes.

Liberty had the first opportunity but Ishmael Antwi blast his shot over the bar after Latif Salifu had set him up from a freekick taken by Ghandi Kassenu.

By the 10th minute a near drama was unfolding as Wise coach Charles Akunnor went livid after an off the ball incident reduced his side to ten.

After 13 minutes Liberty failed to take the initiative and allowed Wise to score a rather soft goal. Wise went on the break James Bissue the man in charge and a cross in from the right was spilled by Liberty goalkeeper Tunde into the path of John Antwi who shrugged off David Addo and Bawa Mumuni to score the opener.

The reaction from the Sekondi bench told that desperate they had been and how much the points were worth. A la Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford with Porto FC 2004, C. K Akunnor and his assistant Nii Odartey Lamptey run towards the centre line and punched the air to give thanks to God for what was a sweet smell of victory in the offing.

It took Liberty another 8 minutes to make a real impression at getting the equaliser. Liberty won a corner which was met by Emmanuel Frimpong but his header was finger tipped by Mohammed Alhassan for a corner.

A minute later, Ishmael Antwi’s missile just outside the penalty box was again saved gracefully by Mohammed Alhassan.

The home side were now prowling for the equaliser but Mohammed Alhassan was already putting in the man-of-the match performance.

Twice in quick succession, the former Asante Kotoko goalie dived to his right first saving from Emmanuel Frimpong before another great save from Ishmael Antwi who whipped in from close range.

The second half started well for Liberty who were now tightening their grip on the game and almost got the equalizer from a Ghandi corner that was volleyed over by Frimpong under little challenge from Wise Skipper Adamu Mohammed.

The pressure was becoming unbearable for the Akara Ka Chi boys and went into defensive mood to play on the counter bring on Winfred Dormon.

Hard work pays and it paid off for Liberty but on the happening of the day it was from an unlikely source, striker Yaw Antwi who had been kept quiet all afternoon until he rose to head home the equalizer.

Relief is the word and the noise from that sigh from the bench - Coach Isaac Acquaye, George Lamptey, Francis Bruce-Thompson, Albert Neequaye and the substitutes could shatter the ears.

Club Chairman Felix Ansong, George Afriyie, Sellas Tetteh, Bright Abankwah and many other fanatical fans on the seats could afford a smile finally and deservedly so.

But the best moments were reserved for the final minutes.

Latif Salifu was doing all the running and spadework but was missing the final touch that change the complexion of the game and the look on his face brought back memories of the Kpando episode on the weekend.

In the 65th minute, Kamal Issah was gifted another opportunity to increase the tally but with an open net before him under no challenge headed wide after Yaw Antwi who was finally asserting himself set him up.

Latif again and Ishmael Antwi conspired to let Liberty down, they both went for the ball which had fallen invitingly but lack of communication cost them.

Liberty were now pouring forward in torrents and only Mohammed Alhassan stood up to them denying Latif Salifu again with a great save diving low to his left to nick the ball off the feet of the striker.

With the mounting pressure the goal was coming and did arrive finally. Kamal Issah was on the end of the ball after substitute striker Ivorian Kevin Kouakou hit the crossbar to lash past a bewildered Mohammed Alhassan.

It was joy unconfined for the Dansoman lads as they all run unto the field to celebrate what is a great victory and one they had really fought for.

But there was time for two more attacks and Yaw Antwi’s ball to another substitute Daniel Bonsu who took over from Richard Boateng drew another save from goalkeeper Alhassan before Yaw Antwi himself was slow to allow Alhassan again scoop from his feet in injury time.

A well deserved victory but the real battles still lie ahead as all the other teams fighting against the drop won.

Liberty: Tunde ADEKUNLE; Eric BOAKYE (Maxwell MENSAH), Ghandi KASSENU, Bawa MUMUNI, David ADDO; Emmanuel FRIMPONG, Kamal ISSAH, Richard BOATENG (Daniel BONSU), Ishmael ANTWI; Yaw ANTWI, Latif SALIFU (Kevin KAOUKOU).