KUALA LUMPUR: Minnows Police must be pleased just to avoid a thrashing as they lost 1-0 to defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in a Super League match on Wednesday.
The Southern Tigers have been ruthless this season, scoring 36 goals, averaging 4.5 goals per match, in their previous eight league matches.
However, the Cops set up the roadblocks to deny JDT from going on a rampage with Police goalkeeper Hakeem Hamidun emerging as the hero denying Bergson da Silva's spotkick in the 45th minute.
However, Fernando Forrestieri saved the blushes for the visitors with a winning goal in the 61st minute.
Police's hopes of snatching something from the match went down the drain when they were reduced to 10 players after Kyaw Min Oo was sent off by referee Fitri Maskon in the 74th minute.
JDT lead the standings with nine wins from as many matches on 27.
At the Likas Stadium, Sabah were in control as they thrashed bottom side Kelantan 6-1.
The Rhinos scored through Daniel Ting (fourth and 11th), Dominic Tan (48th), Baddrol Bakhtiar (61st), Stuart John Wilkin (75th) and Telmo Ferreira Castanheira (90th).
The Red Warriors replied through Miguel Cifuentes (46th).
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan bounced back in the second half to hold Perak to a 1-1 draw in Ipoh.
Former Seladang striker Shahrel Fikri Fauzi scored for the visitors in the 70th minute to cancel out Alif Zikri's goal in the third minute.