Maurito headed a cross from Abdulla Al Noobi on the far post after Iraq international Hawa Mulla Mohammed had scored the second equaliser for Al Ain in the 89th minute to draw the curtains of a fascinating match to a breathtaking finish.

The result took the Abu Dhabi club’s tally to 33 points, two more than long time leaders Al Wasl. Al Jazira are in third on 29 and further point behind in fourth is Al Shaab as the league race poised for an exciting finish.

Haider Alo Ali put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute after Mamadou Bagayoko’s close range shot was blocked by Mutaz Abdulla. Bagayoko was set up inside the box by Abdulraheem Jumaa.

Al Ain struck the equaliser through a re-taken spot kick in the 44th minute through their Cameroonian pro Frank Olivier Ongfiang, who sent Shaibhan Saleh on the wrong side after Iraq international Hawa Mulla Mohammed’s attempt was blocked by the Al Wahda goalkeeper.

Al Wahda regained the lead in the 66th minute through Saeed Al Sheihi, who latched on to a splendid cross from Ismail Matar after a defensive blunder let the diminutive UAE international to work his way down the left flank.

Al Wahda boss Richard Tardi then made a brave move to replace Sheihi three minutes after he put them in the lead with Maurito, who scored the winner at the death end of the game for the Abu Dhabi club to return with full points when a draw seemed inevitable after Hawa Mulla had scored from a spectacular header.

Tardi had to watch the entire second match from the stand after he was banished from the bench together with team manager Abdulla Saleh following the spot kick that was re-taken.

Both Al Wahda and Al Ain went into the game after facile victories on match day three of the AFC Champions League against Iraqi club Al Zawra’a and Sepahan of Iran respectively.

Al Wahda had the first go at the goal when Bagayoko’s header sailed over the crossbar in the sixth minute and then Onfiang’s free kick ricocheted off the wall of defence to fly over the woodwork seven minutes later.