Chirag United put up a spirited display to beat 10-man Air India 1-0 in the 15th round of the ONGC I-League at Yuba Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata on Saturday night.
The all important goal helped Chirag United move to 10 place with 16 points while Air India stayed eighth with a point more.
Man-of-the-match Bidemi Daniel scored the winner in the 24th minute to register Chirag United's first win after eight matches.
Air India had to play the last 12 minutes with 10 men as striker Emmanuel was shown the red card by the referee for an off the ball foul against Bidemi in the 81st minute.
After Chirag United missed a chance in the 14th minute, the Kolkata outfit forged ahead 10 minutes later.
Shankar Oraon's prompt following a Malswam corner rebounded off a rival defender and an alert Bidemi was quick to pounce on the ball and sent his grounder home.
Stung by the reverse, Air India tried to put up some fight and could have equalised in the 48th minute but striker Subash Singh's attempt from the left went over.
Emmanuel, who came in place of Ravinder Singh in the 54th minute, could have restored parity but his header from close was held by Chirag United goalkeeper Gopal Das.
The visitors got yet another chance to level the score but once again Das came to the rescue, this time blocking an 84th minute effort from Michale Tayo.
With the clock winding down, the hosts got a chance to double the margin but Malswam's effort took a deflection and went out.