Dempo's title hopes suffered a severe jolt on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by JCT in the eighth National Football League match played at the Nehru stadium in Margao.
Dempo, who beat JCT earlier in the first leg, moved to second place in the league with 32 points from 17 matches while JCT remain on sixth place with 26 points from 17 matches.
Dempo dominated the match throughout with quick short passes with Jose Colaco and Mohammed Gafari controlling the midfield and created several openings but were let down by their strikers who were erratic in their shots when well placed inside the box.
With time running out, Dempo made frantic effort to find the equaliser in the dying minutes but failed as Sunday Seah, who had the opportunities twice, shot out.
JCT, who played second fiddle for most part of the match, shone in patches and even came close to scoring twice in the second half but keeper Abhijit Mondal showed good reflexes and denied Jaswinder Singh and Harvinder Singh from scoring. JCT had the first shy at the goal when Jaswinder Singh's shot was saved by custodian Mondal.
Dempo moved the rival half with a series of moves and had two chances to forge ahead but first Clifford and latter R C Prakash failed to guide their headers on target when well placed inside the box.
JCT keeper Mansuru also came to the rescue when he made a save to collect a full blooded shot from Prakash. The millmen made occasional moves and nearly succeeded in taking lead in the latter part of the first half but Mondal did well to charge out and thwarted Jagjit Randhawa from scoring off a pass from Harvinder Singh.
The change of ends saw Dempo continue to put pressure on JCT defence but were let down by Sunday Seah who missed three scoring opportunities.
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