SINGAPORE - The LionsXII ended their poor away form with a 2-1 win against Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) in their Malaysia Cup group A match on Saturday night at Pasir Gudang.

Defensive midfielder Safuwan Baharudin scored twice to lift the LionsXII to their first win in five away matches.

In the 23rd minute, Izzdin Shafiq's deep free-kick found Safuwan, whose header bounced over goalkeeper Zulfadhli Mohamed into the net.

However, the LionsXII's lead was cancelled out in the 72nd minute, when Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Delmonte converted a penalty for JDT II, after right-back Faritz Hameed fouled Akmal Ishak inside the box.

While both sides pressed hard for a winner, there arose some controversy in the 81st minute. LionsXII's key striker Khairul Amri's free-kick goal was disallowed, as the assistant referee deemed Safuwan to have blocked the goalkeeper's vision.

Deep into stoppage time, LionsXII's substitute and right-winger Christopher van Huizen's cross into the box was punched out by Zulfadhi to Safuwan, who headed in the winner.

LionsXII's coach Fandi Ahmad said after the game: "I thought we dominated the game and we created many chances. We deserved to win."

The victory gives much-needed confidence to the LionsXII, who will next face Terengganu next Saturday at Jalan Besar. Fandi's team are currently in second spot in Group A, on equal points with Kedah, who upset Terengganu 5-0 on Friday.