Darryl Duffy struck in the first half to ensure a 1-0 victory for Salgaocar against hosts Aizawl FC in a bottom of the table I-League football battle here on Monday.
Salgaocar FC jumped to the fifth spot with 16 points from 14 games after the win, plunging Aizawl to the eighth place with only 13 points after 15 games.
Duffy scored his 11th goal of the tournament through a free kick at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. The game kicked off with the home side attempting to attack relentlessly but were pegged back when they conceded in the 32nd minute.
Duffy is now the second highest scorer behind East Bengal's Ranty Martins (12).
Also read: What do Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal need to do to win the I-League title?
Salgaocar were defensive after scoring the goal though both sides made forward forays.
After the break, Salgaocar mostly relied on counter-attacks to score. Aizawl FC enjoyed more possession and pressed for the equaliser but were not able to prise open the well organised Salgaocar defence.
Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh was busy and was named the man of the match.
"I am very happy and satisfied. I used my experience at the right time. I believe we are now safe from relegation. We will not sit and relax in the next two matches," Karanjit said after the match.
"We made mistakes today but we will try our best to win the next match," Aizawl FC coach Jahar Das said.
