A double strike by in-form Sushil Kumar Singh and another goal from Friday Gbeneme helped Shillong Lajong FC beat Pailan Arrows 3-1 at the J N Stadium in Shillong on Wednesday afternoon.
The visitors suffered their first jolt when Sushil headed home a volley from Jacob to secure lead in the third minute.
Caught off guard on several occasions, the hosts missed few chances, even as Sushil opened the second half with his second goal in the 49th minute.
Three minutes later, Friday sealed the visitors' fate, scoring the third goal.
Pailan Arrows reduced the deficit through Dhanpal Ganeshan in the 65th minute, but the goal was small consolation.
Pailan's coach Arthur Papas blamed his boys' slackness on the field for the defeat.
"You can't concede a goal within five minutes of the game. Your boys have to get themselves switched on right from the moment the whistle blows," Papas said, adding that his boys only showed some aggression after conceding three goals.
Papas's counterpart Desmond Bulpin said his team played well but lacked composure while controlling the ball.
Lajong have 10 points from eight games while Pailan have 11 from an equal number matches.
Lajong's next game is against East Bengal at home while Pailan Arrows face ONGC.
Lajong's North Korean defender Minchol Son was named man of the match.