Title aspirants Dempo edged past Salgaocar 3-2 to keep themselves in contention for the crown in the National Football League.

At the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Friday, Dempo called the shots in midfield and dominated the proceedings.

They scored through Ranty Martins (19th minute), Nacimento Silveira (45th) and substitute Kasun Jayasuriya (82nd).

Salgaocar, who shone in patches, got their goals through Bello Rasaq (36th) and Felix Ibrebru (84th).

The victory took Dempo to 31 points from 15 matches, two points behind leaders East Bengal.

Salgaocar remain in seventh place with 16 points from 15 matches.