Hindustan Aeronautic Sports Club (HASC) redeemed their already bruised pride to some extent with a consolation 1-0 win over champions Madras Engineering Group (MEG) in the Bangalore Super Division football league at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday.

Midfielder Karthigeyan slotted the winner in the 84th minute with a powerful left-footer but HASC finished a disappointing third in the table behind Karnataka State Police.

In a befitting finale to the league, both teams battled hard for domination and HASC had the last laugh by seizing the initiative in the second-half and eventually found the target.

However, the initial minutes was virtually a statement by MEG on why they have topped the standings as they unleashed attacks with consummate regularity.

The forwards Nguernilal Hmar and Dipen Thapa created a flutter in the HASC defence. MEG defenders too dished out a stellar performance at this stage, especially in marking HASC skipper Xavier Vijayakumar.

The champions almost went into a lead in the 26th minute but for that breath-taking save by HASC custodian Gumpe, who tipped away a fierce long ranger by Nguernilal.

In the last ten minutes or so of the first-half, HASC somehow managed to settle the nerves and at the stroke of the half-time, Xavier fed Karuna with a perfect cross but the latter faltered with a poor header.

In the second-half, HASC brought in Kuttimani for Karuna upfront to find that eluding goal. But, again it was Xavier who stole the show and not surprisingly he was often at the receiving end of many rough challenges.

After being awarded a free-kick for one such hard tackle on the right flank about thirty yards from the penalty box, Xavier served an aerial pass which was brilliantly collected by Karthigeyan just outside the box before firing one in to the left corner of the goal past a hapless MEG goalkeeper Malay Paul.