Mahindra hold JCT with late goal

JCT Phagwara were held to a 1-1 draw by Mumbai champions Mahindra United in a National Football League match at the Guru Nanak stadium in Ludhiana on Sunday.

JCT, who lost by a brace to defending champions East Bengal in their previous encounter in the city, were desperate to make an impression at home this time and turned in a good display.

Though they played attacking football their strikers were denied a clear look at the Mahindra goal because of some tight defending.

After a goalless first half, JCT repeatedly raided the rival goal and were rewarded in the 73rd minute when their star striker Harinder found the net.

Stung by the reverse Mahindra put pressure on the JCT defence and in the third minute of injury time Abhishek Yadav scored the all-important goal to restore parity.

With this draw JCT took their points tally to 22 from 15 matches while Mahindra are a point behind from the same number of matches.