Man-of-the-match Gbeneme Friday (24th minute) scored the opening goal for the Khalid Jamil-coached team, which played without three of their main players due to bookings. But it was Ebi Sukore (65th) who did the hard work to see Mumbai FC through in a must-win situation.
For Shillong Lajong, Sushil Singh (88th) pulled one back in the dying moments of the match.
Starting the game with 17 points from 22 matches, Mumbai FC needed to win to come out of the relegation zone. With just three matches remaining after today's tie, it was imperative for the Mumbai outfit to earn full points to be able to steer clear of Chirag United Kerala, which lost 0-4 to Churchill Brothers in Goa.
The win helped Mumbai FC move, three points clear of Chirag United, but the Kerala team has played a match less. In the remaining matches, Mumbai FC has fixtures against all bottom-placed team -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Pailan Arrows and Chirag -- something that Jamil must be wishing as silver line to look for and save team from relegation.
Shillong Lajong began the match in high spirits as their supporters out numbered that of Mumbai FC, who incidentally were host for this tie. MORE PTI ATK
