Sporting Clube De Goa held gamely to the early goal scored by Chandrashekar Chinta to down Churchill Brothers and keep themselves firmly in contention for the title in the 15th round of the ONGC I-League match at the Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
Sporting took the lead in the 6th minute when a move on the right saw Steven Fernandes releasing the ball to Samananda Singh, the later send a well directed cross into the box where defender Thokchom Naoba Singh failed to clear.
Making full use of the opportunity Chinta leapt over to head the ball past the outstretched hands of keeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
Sporting were a transformed side under new coach Clifford Chukwuma who replaced Vishwas Gauncar.
The midfield co-ordinated well with Bibiano Fernandes leading the charge as they kept the upfront busy with short passes and never felt the absence of their regular midfielder Wilton Gomes and Harmonjit Khabra.
The defense also put up a stout display with defender Mathew Gonsalves not allowing dangerman Odafe Okolie any liberty to operate inside the box.
The victory takes Sporting on top of the table with 31 points from 15 matches, one point ahead of second placed Mohun Bagan who have played one match less.
Churchill remained on third place with 27 points from as many matches.