Sherif Ashraf's early strike gave the visitors a stern challenge in their first match in Hurghada, but Shehab saved day after the break.

The Reds missed out on going top though as they reached 18 points, leveling with Zamalek who have a better goal difference. Gouna moved up to 11th on 10 points.

Ahli boss Hossam Al-Badri handed summer signing Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud his debut in goal at the expense of Sherif Ekrami.

Early shock

The home side needed four minutes to score their first-ever goal against the Red Devils, who were ironically punished by a move featuring two former employees.

Full-back Ahmed Adel floated in a low cross for Ashraf inside the six-yard box and the latter slid in past the hapless Aboul-Saoud for the early opener.

It was almost a carbon copy of the goal scored by ex-Ahli forward Hussein Yasser against the Reds in Zamalek's 3-1 cup defeat last season.

Gouna had a golden chance to double their lead on 11 minutes when Ahmed Hassan Farag, another ex-Ahli, sloppily tried to round Aboul-Saoud when he was one on one, only for the Ahli keeper to jump out for the ball.

The missed chance gave a clear indication that Ahli's backline was a shambles.

The out-of-sorts Ahli replied through a shy attempt by Moataz Eno, whose 20-yard effort went over the bar.

While the league holders were expected to dictate play in search for the equalizer, it was Gouna who actually maintained control of the first half as Farag missed another sitter.

At the stroke of half-time, Aboul-Saoud came to Ahli's rescue with a superb double-save, denying Ashraf's low effort and Farag's point-blank follow.

Brilliant Shehab

Al-Badri made a slight alteration in midfield at half time, introducing Shehab in place of Hossam Ghaly.

Ahli's first shot on target came in the 12th minute when Geddo's close-range effort was thwarted by the brave Mohamed Abdul-Monsef.

But the former Zamalek guardian could do nothing with Ahli's second attempt; a special moment from Shehab.

The substitute single-handedly infiltrated Gouna's backline with an excellent solo run, dribbling past two defenders before slotting home from 18 yards.

But Shehab's evening came to an abrupt end when he picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Abdul-Hamid Shabana 15 minutes from time.

Ahli maintained their stranglehold and Geddo was one-on-one with Abdul-Monsef, whose poor clearance went straight to the unmarked Ahmed Shokri, only for the midfielder to blast high in front of an empty net.

But that was the visitors' last threat on goal as Farag almost grabbed a stoppage-time winner for Gouna, but his volley was brilliantly parried away by Aboul-Saoud.