CAIRO: Struggling side Masri gave Coach Hossam Hassan a much-needed respite after securing their first win since August with a 3-1 defeat of Asyut Petroleum.

The Port Said-based club trailed to Ashraf Khattab s opener for Asyut early in the game.

Ahmed Galal leveled the score midway through the first half before two goals from Mohamed Al-Gabbas and Ahmed Fawzi, handing Masri a precious win.

The victory moved Masri, who were third from bottom prior to this match, into ninth place with 11 points, two points ahead of the newly-promoted Asyut.

The convincing win will ease the pressure of former Egypt striker Hassan who came in for fierce criticism due to his fiery temper and Masri s disappointing results.

Although Masri made a fine start to their league campaign under his guidance, winning their first two matches, they suffered a downfall afterwards.

Midfielder Khattab grabbed the lead for Asyut after 12 minutes with a superb 30-yard free-kick that eluded the keeper.

But Galal leveled the score ten minutes later when he headed home a free-kick to take his tally to three goals this season.

Al-Gabbas put Masri in front when he converted Wagih Abdul-Azim s cross from close range seven minutes before halftime.

Fawzi sealed the victory in the 77th minute when his low shot went past Asyut keeper Mostafa Kamal.