An 85th minute goal by Ghananian Wisdom Abbey helped Viva Kerala to edge out Air India 3-2 in the 10th round of the ONGC-sponsored I-League at the Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Thursday.
With this, the home side increased its points tally to 12 from 10 outings against Maharajas's eight points from as many matches.
Taking the initiative after a lackadaisical first half, Wisdom scored the first goal through an angular header utilising a left wing cross of S Saleel at the 55nd minute.
Exploiting a rebound by Paresh Shivalkar, Bashiru M Abbas earned the equaliser for the airmen at the 58th minute.
At the 63rd minute the home team retained the lead by a long range free kick of Khelemba Singh, who was declared man-of-the-match for his superb goal.
Immediately after two minutes, foreign recruit Suley Musah scored the second equaliser for the Maharajah by converting a corner kick.
Taking a cross from S Saleel the Ghananian earned the decider goal making the final score 3-2.
In its next home match, Viva will lock horns with Mohun Bagan at Kozhikode on January 13.