Defending champions Mohun Bagan scored in the last minute to hold Mahindra United 1-1 in a seventh National Football League match in Kolkata on Friday.

Brazilian striker Jose Barreto converted a penalty just a minute from close to neutralise the visitors' first-half lead in the lacklustre encounter at the Salt Lake stadium.

Barreto's compatriot and new Mahindra recruit Joe Damasio, who has created a sensation with his lethal strikes, earlier put his side ahead from another penalty in the 41st minute.

Despite the nimble-footed Baichung Bhutia staging a comeback in the second-half after a two-month injury-prompted lay-off, Bagan, who have failed to do justice to their reputation this season, seemed listless and were forced to defend for most part of the match, particularly in the opening session.

Mahindra, who had the bulk of the chances, forged ahead after Bagan defender Satish Bharti brought down an advancing M A Samson inside the box, and referee P K Bose pointed to the dreaded spot.

Damasio scored with a left foot grounder to the left of Bagan goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar.

Bagan stepped up gears after the break but had to wait till the fag end of the game to draw parity.

The referee pulled up Mahindra's Khalid Siddique for a handball inside the box and awarded a spot-kick to Bagan amidst protests by Mahindra that the ball had come off the player's chest.

Bose stood firm and Barreto made no mistake in finding the target.

Bagan now have 22 points from 13 outings while Mahindra have only 14.