Ten-man Salgaocar FC held grimly on to their first half lead to beat Shillong Lajong 2-1 in a ninth round match of the Hero I-League at Nehru Stadium Fatorda here today.
Salgaocar, who were down to ten men in the 20th minute, put up a good show to score two goals through Darryl Duffy (18th) and Douhou Pierre (42nd) who put up a stellar role in the midfield.
The visitors, who had better ball possession after Salgaocar defender Augustin Fernandes was sent off for handling the ball in front of the goal, reduced the margin in the 25th minute.
Salgaocar, who lacked finishing in their previous matches, were strengthened by the return of Duffy and the wily striker had the first chance to put his team ahead but his try went over the bar off a pass from Douhou Pierre.
Thereafter, Bikas Jairu had a chance to put his team ahead but he shot out after he was set up Gilbert Oliveira with a diagonal pass.
After these two close misses, Salgacoar surged ahead in the 18th minute from a combined move between Rocus Lamare and Gilbert Oliveira. The latter relayed the ball to Pierre who put a through pass to Duffy who chipped the ball into the net giving keeper no chance to react.
After conceding the goal, the visitors made a counter attack and Cornell Glen took a reverse kick and defender Augustin Fernandes handled the ball from finding the net.
Referee C R Srikrishnan awarded a penalty and gave Augustin the marching orders. Cornell Glen, who himself took the penalty, saw his shot saved by rival keeper Subrata Paul who dived to his right and put the ball away.
However, Glen made amends of his earlier lapse when he equalised in the 25th minute when he beat keeper Subrata Paul with a left-footer.
