Proline one win away from return to top flight

Coach Baker Mbowa maintains his side will still earn automatic promotion

Proline Kirinya Jinja SS 2

Proline FC coach Baker Mbowa maintains his side will still earn promotion back into the Uganda Premier League without going to the play-offs.

Mbowa made the comments shortly after watching his side twice surrender its lead in a 2 all draw with Kirinya Jinja SS FC in a mouthwatering top of the table encounter played at Nakivubo Stadium on Monday evening.

Proline looked destined to walk away with all the three points only for the Jinja based side to equalise late into the second half after midfielder Gift Ali handled the ball in the area in an attempt to make a clearance.

James Otim headed the visitors into the lead on 12 minutes only for Edrisa Lubega to level for Proline in the 19th minute. Ten minutes later Lubega's striking partner Fahad Bayo scored a second for the hosts.

With only five minutes to play left and the pressure exerted by Kirinya all throughout the second half proving futile, the entire Kirinya bench went wild after the referee Fred Byamukama pointed to the penalty spot after Ali's failed clearance culminated into a handball in the area.

Allan Drajuwa converted the resultant penalty as the two sides settled for the draw.

The result leaves Proline on 47 points from 20 games and in need of just three points from their remaining two fixtures to automatically qualify.

Kirinya Jinja SS FC are on 40 points with three games left.