The unbeaten run of promoted side Churchill Brothers finally came to an end when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Air India in a fifth round match of the 11th National Football League at the Cooperage in Mumbai on Sunday.
An early goal by striker Samson Singh set up things superbly for the airmen, who enhanced their lead midway through the second half -- courtesy an own goal by Churchill's substitute defender Selwyn Fernandes.
Air India moved into second position in the league table with 10 points while the Goan outfit, who played the major part of the second half with 10 men, have six.
Going into the match with an unbeaten run at home, Air India started off brightly, taking the lead as early in the tenth minute through a fine header by Samson Singh at the near post following a provision by Bashiru Abass.
Unable to recapture the form of earlier matches, Churchill looked short of quality in midfield as they lacked the sharpness and vision in their attacking patterns.
Bringing in the changes at the start of the second half Churchill's chances of staging a comeback got remote when forward George Ekeh was shown a red card for a rough tackle on Air India defender Suley Musah in the 58th minute.
A counter down the right initiated by Sanju Pradhan (man-of-the-match) culminated in Selwyn Fernandes, attempting to clear, finding the back of his own net.