Kumasi Asante Kotoko gave their fans the perfect Christmas present when they defeated Hearts of Oak by a goal to nil at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday.

What was an incident-filled match produced a dramatic finish when Albert Amoah, Kotoko's tops cover in the league with six goals, walked the ball into an empty net on the cusp of full time.

Before that, both teams struggled to convert decent goalscoring opportunities, with the best of them falling to Asante Kotoko.

Albert Amoah got the games first chance after a minute but failed to convert from close range.

Amoah pounced on a loose ball after Osei-Asibey failed to clear but his effort from three yards was saved by Benjamin Asare.

Six minutes later, Hearts of Oak’s Salim Adams went down in the box after a solo run but the referee ignored the half-hearted calls for a penalty.

Midway through the first half, Kotoko goalkeeper Mohammed Kamara spilled a harmless shot.

But referee Prince Ntiamoah whistled for a foul just when Kwabena Boateng challenged him for the rebound.

It was a strange decision as Boateng was only chasing the goalkeeper who had vacated his penalty box but his appeals fell on deaf ears.

Two minutes later, Yaya Adraman rushed his effort over the bar after some tidy work from Martin Karikari.

On the 26th minute, the Phobians created their first chance of the game after Boateng found Hamza Issa unmarked in the box. However, his effort flew over the bar.

Kotoko replied with a chance moments later after some poor defending from Yaya Adraman.

Just like Issa, Albert Amoah's header from close range missed the post, this time, by millimeters.

Kotoko went close again on the counter break but Osei-Asibey produced a tackle of the season contender to steal the ball from Albert Amoah who had the goal at his mercy.

Four minutes before half time, Kotoko thought they had scored after Albert Amoah finished off a fine team effort.

However the referee's assistant flagged him offside.

On the cusp of half time, Kotoko's Baba Yahaya missed a golden chance to put Kotoko in front after Yaya Adraman failed to clear a harmless looking cross.

With the goal at his mercy, Yahaya skied his effort much to the disappointment of thousands of Kotoko fans.

Back from recess, Hearts grew into the match and dictated the pace of the game with some patient passing.

Before long, they created their first chance of the half after a slick passing move but Kwabena Boateng could not score from close range.

Against the run of play, Saaka Daauda nearly found the back of the net when his shot from distance deflected off Osei-Asibey.

Kotoko fans rose to their feet in anticipation of a goal but the resultant corner kick was wasted.

Six minutes after the hour mark, Benjamin Asare produced a fine save to stop Patrick Asiedu's free kick from twenty yards.

What followed was a contest of errors between the two sides at both ends of the pitch.

On the 85th minute, Patrick Asiedu went close again but his free kick missed the cross bar by inches.

Moments later, Mawuli Wayo was threaded through on goal by Theophilus Collison but he fired straight at Mohammed Kamara.

When the game seemed over, a defensive mix up produced the most dramatic moment yet.

What appeared to be a harmless ball was misjudged by Osei-Asibey - who had been announced as man of the match moments earlier.

He clattered into his goalkeeper in an attenpt to clear the ball, leaving Albert Amoah to walk the ball into an empty net.

Albert Amoah was subsequently named as man of the match.

As painful as it was for Hearts fans, the goal was no more than Kotoko deserved for their industry.

Sunday's win means Kotoko have now moved into 6th place on the league table with 21 points from 13 games, while the Phobans drop to 7th position with 19 points.