Ten-men Mariners held to draw by Lajong

Ten-men Mohun Bagan were held to a 1-1 draw with Shillong Lajong FC in the fourth-round of the Hero I-League game at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) on Thursday.

Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka first scored for the Mariners in the 12th minute. Skipper Samuel Lalmuanpuia, in the 72nd minute, ensured that the Meghalaya-based side returned home with a point at least.

Sony Norde and Ansumana Kromah had earlier failed the fitness test and Arijit Bagui and Yuta Kinowaki indisposed, Abhishek Das and Dipendu Dowary got their first starts of the season while Shilton D'Silva and Naro Hari Shrestha were ushered back into the starting eleven by Sanjoy Sen.

The Mariners lacked firepower upfront to make the difference as the tiring Dipanda alone could not get the winner as the game ended in a stalemate.

Sanjoy Sen's side, plagued with injuries and now suspensions, play NEROCA on December 19 as they missed an opportunity to go past Minerva Punjab FC at the top of the table.

However, Lajong stay in the third place and visit the defending champions, Aizawl FC, at their home in the next round.