Mboyo Iyomi’s spectacular strike enabled Churchill Brothers, Goa, edge out ten-man East Bengal and catch up leaders Dempo Sports Club on points in the I-league here on Sunday.

After a goalless first session, the Congolese got the decider in the 77th minute with a rasping header to boost Churchill’s points tally to 32 from 16 outings. Dempo have the same number of points, but still lead the table on goal difference.

East Bengal, on the other hand, continue to be dogged by relegation fears, as they remained at the eighth slot with 15 points from the same number of matches as their Goan rivals.

With two bottom-ranked sides in the ten-horse double-leg race slated to be demoted to the second division, East Bengal are above only Viva Kerala (12 from 16) and Salgaocar (10 from 16). The relegation battle is interestingly poised with each team in with a chance to survive if they come up with good performances in the last two rounds.

The day’s goal followed a measured cross from the right by Naoba Singh. The dangerous Mboyo outjumped Surkumar Singh and headed in a flash, and the ball bulleted into the net giving no chance to East Bengal custodian Subrata Paul. The three-time winners saw their numerical strength depleted in the 28th minute, when medio Jayanta Sen went for a needless flying tackle on Naoba, and charged at his feet instead of the ball.

JCT score

JCT Phagwara defeated Air India Mumbai 2-0, adds PTI. Both the goals came in the second half. After the barren first half, JCT drew first blood in the 52nd minute when striker Eduardu De Silva was obstructed at the top of the striking circle resulting in a free kick. Edu’s powerful kick sailed into the net to put his side in the lead.

Midway through the second half, Daljit scored from almost mid-field to consolidate the lead to 2-0.