AshantiGold SC condemned defending champions Accra Hearts of Oak to a 2-0 defeat at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium on Sunday.

Two second-half goals from Yaw Annor and Abdul Salam were enough to sink Hearts of Oak to a dreadful start to the season.

Yaw Annor broke the deadlock eight minutes after the break with a wonderful volley to beat Richard Atta in goal for Hearts of Oak. The two sides then changed their style of play as both coaches threaded cautiously to avoid mistakes. But the plan worked perfectly for AshantiGold who put the nail in the coffin in added time to seal the win thanks to an Abdul Salam rebound.

The defeat brings to an end a succession of three draws in the opening stages of the season for the Phobians. The win however gives the Miners a sigh following their recent struggles.

The Phobians are now nine points behind arch-rivals Kotoko who are on top of the GPL table.