Amaechi Tochukwu's late strike enabled Vasco Sports Club shock Salgaocar 1-0 and post their first victory in the eighth National Football League, on Wednesday.
Vasco, who put up an impressive display against East Bengal, scored the all-important goal in the 77th minute when Agnelo Colaco lobbed the ball into the box for Amaechi, who leaped high and nodded home, beating goalkeeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar.
The match, at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, was played at a fast pace. Salgaocar, who probed more often, could not create scoring chances as they lacked the creativeness in midfield and the absence of Tomba Singh was clearly felt.
Once they broke open the Vasco defence, which put up a fine display, and Felix found the target off a Jatin pass in the first half, but he was pulled up for off-side.
Vasco, who drew their earlier two matches, now have five points from three matches while Salgaocar have six points from as many matches.
Referee Rizwan-ul-Haq showed yellow cards to Salgaocar's Bello Rasaq and Vasco's Selwyn Fernandes.