Pune: I-League leaders Dempo SC of Goa were forced to share points when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Pune FC in their sixth round clash at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Sunday.
After a goalless opening half, the home team went ahead when Arata Izumi scored in the 85th minute before the Goans fought back and earned a draw at the nick of time by finding the equalizer in the 89th through Anthony Pereira.
Pune FC thus denied the former champions their second successive victory away from home after defeating JCT at Ludhiana by a lone goal.
Dempo, without star striker Ranty Martins as well as top defenders Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik due to injury, took the sole lead at the top of the table with 12 points.
The draw helped Pune FC take their points tally to five.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 01, 2009, 23:53