Manaus (Brazil), Oct 12 (IANS): Wallyson struck a second-half penalty as 10-man Botafogo ended a three-game losing run by defeating Corinthians 1-0 in Brazil's Serie A championship.

Wallyson coolly fired his spot-kick into the top corner after Fabio Santos handled Gabriel's 72nd-minute cross at the Arena da Amazonia here Saturday, reports Xinhua.

Botafogo were forced to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men after former Argentina international midfielder Mario Bolatti earned a second booking for a crude challenge on Petros.

The Rio de Janeiro outfit had goalkeeper Helton Leite to thank for denying Mano Menezes' team with a string of fine second-half saves.

"I want to thank the team for its fighting spirit," said Leite, who was given a rare starting berth due to Jefferson's international call-up.

"We had some difficult moments but we were able to get an important victory," the 23-year-old stopper added.

The result lifted Botafogo from last to 17th in the standings with 29 points from 28 matches.

Corinthians dropped to fifth with 46 points.