BEL have 14 points from 10 matches with four wins, two draws and four losses while RWF jeopardised their chances of staving off relegation, remaining stuck on nine points from 10 games.
Lokesh’s own goal helped BEL open their account in the 51st minute and Arvind netted in the 66th minute while RWF reduced the deficit through Prakash in the 77th minute.
RWF held possession for most part and seemed to be in control of the match. It was agony for them in the ninth minute as Satish failed to tap in a Nanda Kumar through pass.Nagaraj and Arvind combined well for BEL with the former’s free-kick from outside the box going over the crosspiece in the 15th minute. The Railwaymen almost scored in the 40th minute when Nanda Kumar made a sizzling solo run on the right before launching a powerful right-footer that was saved by BEL custodian Vasudevan.
The second half began disastrously for RWF as Rajan suffered a knee injury after a hard tackle by BEL’s Vikram N in the 49th minute. Andrew replaced Rajan as RWF fought hard to draw first blood but in the 51st minute, Lokesh’s tap-in off a Vikram S cross put BEL 1-0 up.
In the 66th minute, Arvind doubled BEL’s lead as he fired past RWF custodian Saravana after collecting a through ball from Nagaraj inside the box. Prakash then got on the board for RWF in the 77th minute with a right-footed strike that found its way to the unguarded corner of the goal.
In the 89th minute, BEL’s Mohan left the field after a second yellow for a foul and for gesturing towards the referee. RWF tried hard towards the end but failed to find the equaliser. Other result: ‘B’ Division: Tilak Memorial: 1 (Darshan 30th) drew Sree Gajanana: 1 (Anthony 7th).
