Two second half goals from both Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak settled the first leg tie of the special two-leg contest on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The Porcupine Warriors had to rally from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Hearts.

Hearts opened the scoring after 60 minutes through a penalty converted Douglas Nkrumah after Kotoko defender Awal Mohammed was adjudged to have felled Raymond Darkeh in the box.

Twelve minutes later, Daniel Nii Adjei pulled the hosts level, striking a powerfully from 30-yards.

But Adjei's heroic performance was cut short when he was dismissed by Kumasi-based referee Patrick Kojo Kyeremateng for picking up a second yellow card.

Both sides will go to battle again in the return leg next Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium.