A penultimate-minute strike by Vineeth Michael saved the day for Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bangalore, against a resurgent Indian Air Force (IAF), Delhi, in a nail-biting contest of the tier II Super Division hockey league here at the KSHA stadium on Sunday.

The local lads edged out their experienced rivals 5-4 after almost squandering a two-goal lead in a match marked by quite a few pleasing moves, particularly by SAI.

The Bangalore boys were hesistant to start with and went down in the ninth minute as Love Preet Singh found the target for IAF. But SAI found the equaliser five minutes later through captain Nanaiah, the fulcrum of their attacks.

Nanaiah utilised both flanks and combined well with Aiyappa MB up field, much to the agony of the IAF defence. SAI then went ahead as Vineeth struck off a rebound.

IAF squared up things in the 32nd minute through Jerome Kujur, but their joy was shortlived as Aiyappa flicked home in the very next minute to put SAI 3-2 up.

A keen contest was on the cards as teams changed sides but the progression of the second session saw SAI assumed command, particularly with another goal by Nanaiah in the 47th minute. SAI appeared to be cruising when the script took a dramatic turn.

IAF won four penalty corners thereafter and converted two through Kujur (61st minute) and Shanawaz (67th) to draw level at 4-4.

Then, Vineeth brought cheer to the SAI camp by sounding the board with a swift reverse hit to assure a perfect start to their campaign. Earlier, Central Excise held Madras Engineer Group to a goalless draw.