Rangdajied United made a fine comeback from two-goal deficit to split points with Dempo in a third round match of the I-League here today.
The match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here turned out to be a match with a tale of two halves. If the first half belonged to the visitors, the second session was dominated by the home side.
Roberto Mendis (Beto) gave Dempo the lead in the sixth minute when he curved in a freekick from just the edge of the box before Billy Mehmet scored from a penalty in the added time of the first half.
Lalnunpuia and substitute Sandesh Gadkari cancelled out the deficit in the 60th and 80th minutes respectively to give Rangdajied United the first point in the I-League.
Playing their first ever home match of the tournament, Rangdajied United, backed by the vociferous crowd, did not get the start they wanted as Beto forced them on the backfoot.
In the added time of the first half, Thomas Saikhom brought down Billy Mehmet inside the box. The referee, without any hesitation pointed towards the spot. Mehmet stepped up to take the spot kick and sent the diving goalkeeper the wrong way to give Dempo a two-goal cushion at the break.
Changed of end saw the home team coming in with full vigour as Lalnunpuia whipped in a scorcher from just outside the edge of the box at the hour mark to send the capacity crowd erupting in joy.
Gaining confidence from the goal, Rangdajied looked a different team as they kept the pressure on the visitors. Rangdajied were rewarded with the equaliser when substitute Sandesh Gadkari found the target 10 minutes from final whistle.
