Mahindra shock Churchill

Despite a player getting the marching orders, Mahindras United utilised the gap in the defence on the right to score two quick goals in the dying minutes and come from behind to down Zee Churchill Brothers 3-1 in the National Football League, in Margao, Goa, on Friday.

Mahindra, who needed a win to avoid relegation, suffered a setback in the 18th minute when referee B K Singh showed the red card to defender Satish Minz, who handled the ball on the goalline off Francis Silveira's header, which came to him via Somatai Shaiza's flag-kick from the right.

The resultant penalty-kick was converted by Igor Shkvrin, who made no mistake, beating the 'keeper to his right.

Mahindra bought in Aqueel Ansari in place of Davoud Hussaini which changed the complexion of the game. The dimunitive midfielder fed his strikers with incisive passes and succeded in restoring parity in the 43rd minute.

Defender Habib Adenkunle laid a pass from the centre to Mohd Najeeb, who was thwarted by a rival defender, but a mix-up between Inacio and Osumanu saw the ball going to Manjit Singh, who shot home from the close.

The second half was played at a fast pace with Zee Churchill dominating the proceedings. They made inroads with quick short passes but faltered at crucial junctures and lost possession.

Keeper Sunder Rajan also came to his side's rescue when he made good saves off Igor's shots twice.