United hold Mohun Bagan

Kolkata: Ranty Martins found the target one minute before the regulation time to help United SC hold Mohun Bagan 1-1 in their I-League fixture at Kalyani as the green and maroon brigade continued their winless streak after their ban was revoked.

Tolgay Ozbey found the lead for Mohun Bagan in the 48th minute but Martins spoiled their joy to extend Bagan`s stay at the bottom of the league standings with two points. The first half saw United in a more dominant role but the team could not make much of the opportunities. Nigerian Striker Martins found the first opportunity in the 21st minute but failed to keep his effort on target. The other United striker Kayne Vincent had the next opportunity in the 26th minute, but he delayed his effort allowing Bagan custodian Arindam Bhattacharya to send the ball out of harm`s way. Martins got another opportunity in the 34th minute on a pass from midfielder CK Vineeth but the Nigerian remained off target once again leaving the score-line barren at the end of the first half. Bagan began the second half on a more promising note with Ozbey finding the lead early in 48th minute. The struggling Australian striker found the net with a brilliant effort sending a powerful angular volley after an overhead ball dropped free inside the Prayag United box. As Bagan tightened their defence to protect the lead, United went hard to find the equalizer. Martins and Vincent`s second half substitute Lalmohan Hansda had a chance each in the 52nd and 68th minutes but both could not be on target to change the scoreline. Bagan had a chance off their substitute CS Sabeeth in the 72nd minute but the forward remained off target. Martins finally got his scoring right late in the 89th minute when his shot from top of the box went home after efforts from Arindam Bhattacharya and Mohun Bagan defender Nirmal Chetri to clear the ball went in vain. PTI