USM Alger put an end to a rough run in the league with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over CS Constantine on Sunday in Round 25 of the Algerian top flight.
The home side had gone four games without a win, but late goals from Ryan Mahrouz in the 77th minute and Riad Ben Ayad in the 88th flipped the script after Abdennour Belhassini gave Constantine the lead just before halftime.
Down to ten men after Salim Boukhenchouch was sent off in stoppage time, USM Alger held firm to grab all three points and move to 36 on the table. The win lifts them to fifth place and puts them back in the fight for a top-four finish.
For CS Constantine, the struggle continues. The team remains without a win in six matches and sits in 13th place with 26 points, just six ahead of bottom club Biskra and firmly in the relegation zone.
USM Alger now prepare to face Paradou AC on May 17. Constantine will aim for a turnaround against ES Setif on May 15.
