I-League: Mohun Bagan draw against Dempo; go on top of table

Bagan earn a crucial draw away from home

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Fatorda (Goa), March 4 (IANS) A point for Mohun Bagan saw them go ahead of Pune FC on goal difference to sit at the top perch of the I-League table as they earned a hard-fought draw against Dempo at the Fatorda stadium here on Wednesday.

Striker Balwant Singh's opened the scoring just after half an hour for Bagan which was followed by the sending off of Haitian medio Sony Norde in the dying seconds of the first half.

Dempo attacked for majority of the second half and their persistence paid off with skipper, Englishman Calum Anges equalising with a stunner with two minutes from the end of normal time.

After failing to break the deadlock in the first 30 minutes Norde set up Singh by sending in a low ball in the six-yard area, all the former had to do was stab it home, which he obliged.

The final five minutes of the first half saw more action befall as Norde was sent off for elbowing rival defender Nirmal Chettri.

And so despite trailing by a goal, Dempo went into the break with a man advantage.

The second half saw a lot of chances being wasted by both sides, none could build enough quality play to breach each other's defence.

In an 89th minute goal that salvaged a point for Dempo, Angus latched onto a looping ball that fell his way, as he smashed in a volley from outside the box that went into the top corner beating the Bagan custodian.

Bagan held on in the final few minutes for a valuable point that saw them go clear of Pune FC on top on goal difference with a game in hand over the Red Lizards.