Mohun Bagan's hopes of retaining the I-League title virtually went up in smokes after they were held to a 3-3 draw by DSK Shivajians in an enthralling I-League contest at the Vidyasagar Krirangan here today.
In a match that had several twists and turns, Mohun Bagan took a lead through Cornell Glenn (26th and 45+1st) but only to crumble under pressure as Derrick Pereira's side showed a lot of promise through a double strike from Juan Quero Barasso (30th and 33rd).
Haitian forward Sony Norde returned to the playing XI and revived the home team's hopes with his 42nd minute strike before Glenn made it 3-2 in an action packed first-half but it was the Pune outfit's Cameroonian recruit Aser Dipanda who gave the thousands of Mohun Bagan fans heartbreak with his 75th minute strike.
Continuing his fine show Dipanda, who had scored an equaliser against former champions Bengaluru FC in his side's previous match, scored a classic header from a Israil Gurung centre.
Mohun Bagan pressed hard for the winning goal but only to return luckless as they would rue Norde's 27th minute strike which seemed to be a goal as Subrata Pal saved the shot apparently from inside the goal-line.
Earlier, after being set up by substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua, Glen scored on the rebound to give the home side the lead in front of a rousing support.
A minute later, they almost doubled the lead with Norde firing a shot from the left and goalkeeper Pal latching on to the ball.
The replays showed the Shivajians' custodian inside the goal-line in his follow through but without a goal-line technology, an unlucky Mohun Bagan had to return empty handed.
Adding to the misery, the Shivajians equalised in the space of four minutes with Quero scoring from a Douhou Pierre pass, beating an advancing Debjit Majumder.
