SINGAPORE – Home United missed the chance to leapfrog fellow AFC Cup 2008 quarter-finalists Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at the top of the S.League standings following a 1-0 Round 22 loss to Tampines Rovers.

P.N. Sivaji’s side went into the match two points behind SAF after the Warriors were held to a 2-2 draw in their meeting with Geylang United but the gap remained due to an 83rd minute own goal from Cameroonian defender Valery Hiek, which ended Home’s seven-match unbeaten run.

The Protectors’ defeat and SAF’s draw has opened the door for the Super Reds, who will climb above Singapore’s AFC Cup hopefuls into pole position if they defeat third-from-bottom Dalian Shide Siwu on Friday.