Bagan pip Vasco, stay in title hunt

Defending champions Mohun Bagan, who needed a victory in their penultimate match to stay in title contention, survived some anxious moments in the second half before edging past a fighting Vasco, Goa, 1-0 in a National Football League match in Margao, Goa, on Thursday.

Bagan held the edge in the first half and also came up with swift, dangerous counter moves to score the all- important goal in the 24th minute.

Defender Dulal Biswas took a throw-in on the right and gave the ball to Jayanto Sen inside the box. The last-named sent a goalmouth cross to striker Abdul Khaleque, who beat 'keeper Rogerio Ramos with a back heel.

The Calcutta side enjoyed territorial advantage and threatened the rival goal with swift moves. They had two chances to increase the lead but Jayanto Sen's long ranger hit the cross bar after brushing keeper Ramos's fingers.

With the last round to go, the fight for honours is still wide open with Bagan a point behind leaders East Bengal.

In their last matches, on April 30, Bagan clash with Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, at home while East Bengal take on State Bank of Travancore at Trivandrum.