Abranches scores two goal in Dempo's 2-1 win

Not only Dempo returned to the winning ways after their 1-5 debacle in Pune the Goans also returned to lead the table with 28 points after 12 rounds.

The AIFF developmental outfit, playing without any foreigner, reduced the margin at the stroke of half-time and put pressure but could not get another goal.

It was their fifth loss after 11 matches to be at seventh in the table with 14 points.

Dempo drew first blood in the 10th minute when Abranches snatches the ball from Arrows goalkeeper Ravi Kumar with a fine dribble before tapping it into an empty net.

The local challengers kept on putting pressure and in a 33rd minute move they had a fine attack from Pronoy Halder's left-footer cross but an unmarked Holicharan Narzary could not make use of the move.

As the Arrows were penetrative, the AIFF side earned a penalty when Alwyn George's header from a Milan Singh corner hit Selwin Fernandez's stretched out hand inside the box.

Milan Singh converted from the spot kick in the 43rd minute to bring in the equaliser.

But the Goans settled the issue with Abranches completing his brace, 13 minute after the break to earn three points from the away match.