Ali Maaloul made up for a wasted penalty to strike at the death and give Ahly a valuable 2-1 victory over Talae El-Gaish as they moved joint top of the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday.

The in-form Tunisian international found the bottom corner of the net with a swerving low shot from 30 meters that left keeper Mohamed Bassam stranded to the spot, ending the resistance of El-Gaish who played with ten men for more than 15 minutes after Talla N’Diaye was sent off for two bookable offences.

He earlier had a weak penalty saved by Bassam as Ahly piled on relentless pressure after another spot-kick from Eslam Gamal ten minutes in the second period cancelled out Walid Azaro’s first-half opener.

The Red Devils, who are chasing a fourth successive title, have 64 points, on level with Pyramids FC who played two matches more. Zamalek, who played a game less than Ahly, lie third on 60 points.

El-Gaish dropped to the 13^th place with 34 points.

Ahly were in control from the outset, launching waves of attacks against a deep defence that struggled to deal with astute passes from Saleh Gomaa, the forgotten playmaker who was recently given a new lease of life.

Gomaa’s free kick from the left caught Bassam napping to strike the woodwork after 25 minutes and a fizzing shot from Azaro went just wide from the edge of the area nine minutes later.

Angolan winger Geraldo was denied a by a goal-line clearance from Gaish defender Ahmed Samir on 42 minutes but Azaro made amends on the stroke of halftime to give Ahly a deserved lead.

Geraldo ran onto a precise long ball from Saleh and, helped by a needless rush out from Bassam, headed the ball into the path of Azaro who slotted into an empty net.

However, Geraldo was replaced in the second half after sustaining a facial injury following a clash with Bassam.

The second half was more exciting, with Gaish leveling the score in the 55^th minute as defender Gamal converted from the spot after Ayman Ashraf clumsily felled striker Mostafa Mohamed.

Ahly had a golden chance to restore their advantage 10 minutes later when the referee pointed to the spot after N’Diaye pushed right-back Ahmed Fathi in an aerial challenge.

However, Maaloul’s weak spot kick was easily collected by Bassam.

N’Diaye was dismissed in the 73^rd minute after an off-ball tussle with Gomaa and Ahly made the most of their numerical advantage to snatch the win.

One minute from time, Maaloul’s effort left Bassam motionless as Ahly celebrated a hard-earned win.