Muritala Ali scored a fine brace as Mahindra United beat East Bengal 3-2 to register their first victory in two matches in the I-League at the Cooperage in Mumbai [ Images ] on Wednesday.

The Nigerian scored twice after East Bengal went ahead against the run of play in the 29th minute, when Alvito D'Cunha did well to finish off a move he had initiated with Baichung Bhutia.

Ali restored parity in the 33rd minute, darting in to head home a floater from Steven Dias following a corner, and then put Mahindra ahead in the 42nd minute in similar fashion, heading a Mohd Rafi cross from the left.

Yusif Yakubu put East Bengal on level terms in the 62nd minute, but N K Pradeep's 30-yard shot from a defensive clearance got the Mumbai side the match-winner in the 75th minute.

Despite a soggy playing surface, both teams produced entertaining fare.

If Mahindra held a slight edge in the first half, which ended 2-1 in their favour, it was the introduction of Yakubu in the second session that gave the Kolkata [ Images ] giants slight ascendancy, which, unfortunately, they could not convert into goals.

They could have gone home with a point, but Mahindra goalkeeper Subashish Choudhary denied them, collecting a header from Bhutia in the 83rd minute.

Following the victory, Mahindra have four points from two matches, having drawn 1-1 with defending champions Churchill Brothers in their opening match, while East Bengal suffered their first defeat after a goalless draw with Pune FC.

Photograph: Satish Bodas