League activities were halted as Egypt prepare for a crunch World Cup qualifier against Algeria next month but ENPPI, who had several games postponed due to their Confederation Cup commitments, were permitted to play one of their delayed matches.

They were also allowed to field Egyptian internationals Ahmed Al-Muhammadi and Ahmed Raouf but neither could help them atone for last Monday's 2-0 defeat to Cairo giants Ahli.

Military, who were close to staging a remarkable comeback but suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Zamalek in their previous game, took the lead after 12 minutes.

Striker Hassan Mousa ghosted behind the defense to control a long pass and break the offside trap before firing the ball into the roof of the net.

His partner Mohamed Zaki doubled the lead six minutes before the break when he capitalized on a mis-timed jump by ENPPI keeper Mohamed Amer to head home at the near post after a cross from Gomaa Mashour.

Raouf pulled one back on the stroke of halftime with a first-time shot at the back post but Military killed off their hopes when midfielder Mohamed Abou-Hadid struck home in stoppage time.

ENPPI could have leapfrogged Ahli into top spot if they won their rescheduled ties, including the one against the Red Devils.

However, their recent poor run places them in eighth place with 10 points, 10 adrift of Ahli, who played a game more.

The match's goals