Striker Yasser Al-Qahtani fired Hilal in front in the 29th minute before Ittihad youngster Nayef Al-Balwi headed home in the 70th minute to level the score.

Al-Shalhoub snatched the victory one minute from time with a quick-taken free-kick that went into the back of the net while Ittihad keeper was still organizing his defensive wall.

The referee allowed the goal amid heavy protests from Ittihad players that resulted in Abdullah Haidar and Hamad Al-Eissa being sent-off.

It was a precious victory for Hilal who had to play with just nine men on the field in the last nine minutes.

Brazilian defender Marcelo Tavarez was given his marching orders seven minutes past the hour mark and Abdul-Aziz Khathran followed him on the sidelines in the 81st minute.

Hilal are in charge of the league table with 38 points, two ahead of second-placed Al-Wehda while Ittihad lie fourth with 26 points.