Three time champions Mohun Bagan failed to translate overall supremacy into victory as they conceded a late goal to finish 1-1 with Kerala's State Bank of Travancore in a ninth National Football League outing in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Mehtab Hossain struck for Mohun Bagan in the 61st minute but substitute Asif Shahir struck seven minutes from close for the visitors who neutralised their rivals' advantage, much to the dismay of the Bagan fans at the Salt Lake stadium.
Bagan, who held sway from the outset with their medios and defenders combining well, went into the lead in the 61st minute when a Renedy Singh corner was followed up by Asim Biswas with a right footer and Mehtab gave the finishing touch by tapping home from close.
SBT, on the defensive for most part of the game, went into the attack mode after the goal and finally restored parity in the 83rd minute.
Shahir, who had replaced Mohammed Aslam early in the second session, got the ball following a melee inside the rival box, and his goalward push went in off a defender.
Continuing their onslaught, the Kerala side launched another attack soon after and Shahir's power-packed effort hit the crossbar and rebounded into play.
Bagan were similarly thwarted in the closing stages of the opening half when Asim Biswas's shot hit the woodwork.
After eight matches, Bagan now have 11 points, while SBT are on 9.