Unfancied Chirag United held favourites JCT to a goalless draw in a fifth round outing in the ONGC I-League football championship in Kolkata on Thursday night.

Despite missing seven of their regulars, either due to injury or suspensions, Chirag dominated the proceedings for most of the game. In fact, the Kolkata outfit should have won the match, and that too by a comfortable margin, but for the chances they missed, including a penalty.

JCT custodian Karanjit Singh and defender Anwar Ali put up stubborn resistance to keep their citadel intact at the Salt Lake Stadium.

JCT have eight points from five matches, while Chirag have five from as many outings.

After surviving a JCT onslaught in the second minute, Chirag took control of the game; Snehasish Chakraborty set up nice passes but teammate Ayan Chowdhury failed to make the most of those opportunities.

United were awarded a penalty in the 39th minute when a JCT defender handled the ball following a corner. Dulal Biswas took the spot-kick, but it was saved by Karanjit, who dived full length to his right.

The second half saw Chirag control the game most of the time but fail to score. A minute before close, they had another fine chance which was however missed by Ayan.