A late goal by Ranty Martins guided defending champions Dempo Sports Club to a 2-1 victory over another Goan outfit Salgoacar in the 10th ONGC National Football League in Panajai, Goa, on Tuesday.
Playing their first match after resumption of the league, Dempo failed to capitalise on the several opportunities they got in the first half and had to wait till the 67th minute to take the lead.
Roberto De Silva, who saw his free-kick hit the post in the first half, fired Dempo ahead when he powered a volley from outside the box to beat Salgaocar 'keeper Juje Siddi.
However, Salgaocar were level three minutes later through an own-goal when defender John Dias, trying to clear a cross from the right by Bhuvan Joshi, misdirected his shot into his own goal.
Just when the match seemed to be heading towards a draw, Dempo earned a penalty, a minute before the end, when Salgaocar defender Agnelo Colaco brought down Clifford Miranda inside the box.
Ranty Martins made no mistake from the spot to give Dempo full points, which took their tally to 13 from eight matches, while Salgaocar, remain on six points from eight games.
Dempo, who put up a good performance against Oman club Al Nasr in their away AFC Cup match, went into attack from the start and forced Salgaocar 'keeper Juje Siddi to twice thwart Ranty Martins.
Man of the match Roberto Silva played the dominant role in midfield. Young Joaquim Abranches also missed an easy chance to put his team in the lead.
Salgaocar also had opportunities but Bruno Oliveira and Francis Andrade failed to score from them.
Coach Savio Mediera was disappointed with the referee's decision to award a penalty at the fag end of the match.
"It was a soft penalty which the referee could have ignored as the striker was not in a scoring position. The defeat has put us on the backfoot and we have to work hard to win in our remaining matches from now onwards if we are to escape relegation," Medeira said.