SINGAPORE - S-League table toppers Albirex Niigata were dealt a surprise defeat on Friday night as they fell 2-0 to struggling Warriors FC at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Headers from Ridhuan Muhammad in the ninth minute and substitute Hafiz Rahim four minutes from time were enough to hand the White Swans just their fourth loss of the season.

Warriors are one of only three teams to beat Albirex this season. They had also won 2-0 against the Japanese outfit in March.

Albirex still lead the S-League on 47 points with three games remaining but will now be looking over their shoulders at second-placed Tampines Rovers, on 40 points.

The Stags face defending champions Brunei DPMM on Saturday at the Jurong West Stadium, knowing that a win will reduce the deficit to four points.

In Friday's other match, bottom side Garena Young Lions slumped to their 18th defeat of the season, losing 2-5 to Home United at the Bishan Stadium.

Haziq Azman (25th min), Ken Ilso (45th, penalty), Juma'at Jantan (64th) and Faris Ramli (84th, 90th) scored for the Protectors while Shafeeq Faruk (30th) and Hami Syahin (70th) replied for the away side.