Chirag rally to hold Dempo

Brazilian striker Edmilson nicely converted a free-kick to help Chirag United come from behind and hold Dempo 1-1 in their 10th round match of I-League football tournament at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

After a barren first-half, the Goan heavyweights surged ahead in 59th minute through Peter Carvalho, but Edmilson, who was adjudged man of the match later, produced the equaliser in 66th minute.

In a battle of equals, with both sides having an identical win, loss and draw record from nine matches, a result in the match would have determined I-League leaders, but Edmilson again proved to be Chirag's saviour.

Playing without their main strike duo of Ranty Martins and Roberto Mendes Silva 'Beto', who were out because of injuries, Dempo struggled to score in the first-half.

Sunil Chhetri led the charge but the Indian striker was off-colour and missed chances on several occasions.