Ebenezer Assifuah came off the bench to score and win a decisive penalty as Gor Mahia defeated Mathare United to open a nine-point lead at the summit of the SportPesa League in a match played at Nyayo National Stadium.

Gor Mahia controlled much of the first half but failed to convert their dominance, with Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw, Enock Morrison, Sylvester Owino and Sharrif Musa all spurning good chances.

At the restart, the coach shuffled his pack, introducing Paul Ochuoga and Bryton Onyona for full-backs Levin Odhiambo and Bandi, while Assifuah replaced Adu-Kwaw.

After the Mathare goalkeeper denied Alpha Onyango on 65 minutes, the breakthrough arrived two minutes later when Assifuah fired home emphatically from inside the box, finishing off a perfectly weighted pass from Jackson Dwang.

The visitors levelled in the 81st minute, but the turning point came on 86 minutes when Assifuah was brought down in the area, allowing Morrison to calmly convert the winner and seal a crucial victory.