KOLKATA: Pailan Arrows proved to be no pushovers for Shillong Lajong FC, beating them 1-0 in their I-League round 17 match here on Sunday, extending SLFC’s winless streak to nine games.
Prabir Das scored the only goal of the game, in the 39th minute.
It was a crucial game for both sides as they were tied on 15 points each with Pailan in eighth place and Lajong one below.
While the Arrows were looking to return to winning ways on home soil, the North-East outfit were desperate to get themselves out of any danger of relegation.
The first half was a scrappy affair with few opportunities for either team.
The first real chance came the way of the visitors after Sushil Kumar Singh got himself onto a low cross from the right but Soram Angamba made a comfortable save.
Sushil had another half-chance in the 36th minute, but Vishal Kumar did enough to deny him from close range from an accurate corner.
Pailan looked the more likely side to score and they delivered on that promise in the 39th minute.
Striker Seminlen Doungel threaded through a great ball to pick out Prabir Das in the box and the midfielder produced a good finish to give his side the lead.
SLFC coach Desmond Bulpin made two tactical changes at the end of the first half, bringing on new Japanese striker Taisuke Matsugae and Renedy Singh in place of Jibon Singh and Friday Gbeneme, but the changes did not produce results.
Matsugae shot wide from close range early on in the second half and had a couple of other opportunities in his first game for the club.
In other matches, Pune FC were held to a goalless draw by Sporting Clube de Goa at home, while in the much-anticipated match of the day, Salgaocar defeated the reinstated Mohun Bagan 2-0 in Goa. (Agencies)