A brace by Brazilian striker Edmilson guided East Bengal to a 2-1 victory over a spirited Mohammedan Sporting in their National Football League encounter in Kolkata on Saturday night.

With this victory, East Bengal came just one point behind leaders Mahindra United with 23 points from 12 matches. The red and yellow brigade also played the equal number of matches. Sporting are in the lower rung of the table with just 10 points from 12 outings.

Edmilson was rightly adjudged the man of the match in the game for the two goals while Jatin Bisht scored the consolation one for Sporting at the floodlit Salt lake Stadium.

East Bengal went ahead as early as the 4th minute when Edmilson, capitalising a pass from Ambani, kept his cool and shot home neatly (1-0).

But the lead was short-lived as Sporting drew level four minutes later through Bisht (1-1).

Edmilson struck again nine minutes before the long whistle to give the three-time champions East Bengal the much needed victory.

Collecting a floater from a midfield move, he darted down into the box and neatly placed home (2-1).