Vasco hold East Bengal

Fancied East Bengal were held to a 1-1 draw by new entrants Vasco in the fifth edition of the National Football League at the Nehru stadium, in Margoa, Goa, on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, league leaders East Bengal drew first blood in the 53rd minute, when defender Suley Musah found space in the box and headed home a flag-kick, from the left, by defender Falguni Dutta.

Vasco, who held an edge over their opponents throughout the match, especially after conceding the goal, found the net in the 70th minute when Nishant Pednekar's glancing header, off a chip from medio Avazbe Koshimov, beat 'keeper Nasim Akhtar all ends up. However, referee Ravi Shankar disallowed the goal after linesman Avtar Krishna ruled Pednekar off-side.

The home side, however, did not lose heart. They continued to attack and were in total command in the last quarter of the match and finally found the equaliser in the 81st minute. Koshimov Avazbek, from the right, took a free kick and floated the ball into the box for Pednekar to head home on the run much to the delight of the crowd.

Vasco had lost 0-3 to East Bengal in their away match.

The draw was a huge setback for the Calcutta giants, who desperately needed a victory to increase their three-point lead over second-placed Mohun Bagan.