Basake Holy Stars coach Abdulai Gazale believes a lapse in concentration towards the closing stages cost his side a point in their 1-0 defeat to Hearts of Oak.

Martin Karikari struck in the 82nd minute at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday to settle a tight Ghana Premier League Matchday 8 encounter and extend Hearts’ winning run to three matches.

Holy Stars had defended resolutely for much of the contest but failed to maintain their focus as the hosts pushed for a breakthrough.

“Unfortunately, towards the end of the game, I think it was a matter of concentration,” Gazale said after the match.

“To me, we lost concentration, and then we were punished.”

The defeat came despite Holy Stars’ efforts to limit Hearts’ attacking threat by adopting a medium defensive block and looking for opportunities to counter-attack.

Gazale acknowledged that his side had performed reasonably well defensively but was disappointed by their inability to translate their first-half chances into goals.

The result leaves Holy Stars without a point from their away matches this season, having suffered four defeats on the road.

For Hearts, Karikari’s decisive finish secured another important victory under coach Nebojša Kapor and lifted the Phobians to the top of the league table, at least temporarily.

Hearts have now collected 17 points, three more than Medeama and Samartex, who have played one game fewer.