East Bengal paid the price for a slow and unimaginative attack and had to settle for a goalless draw against Air India in the National Football League at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.
After the tame draw, East Bengal have nine points from five matches while Air India have four points from as many outings.
East Bengal started off aggressively and set up scoring opportunities on at least two occasions within 15 minutes.
Nigerian Mike Okoro had only goalkeeper Sundar Rajan to beat in the ninth minute while Baichung Bhutia delayed a shot after nicely receiving an Okoro cross from the left barely on his chest five minutes later.
East Bengal's new foreign recruit Endem Guy, who was adjudged man of the match, showed some urgency in the red and gold's frontline, particularly in the early session.
However, as the match progressed the hosts seem to get frustrated after failing to penetrate the airmen's solid defensive wall and allowed the visitors some free space to relieve the pressure and switch to attacking mode.