Facing relegation, Tollygunge Agragami earned a vital point finishing goalless with Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa, in a drab National Football League encounter in Kolkata on Saturday.
It was a painstaking experience for the handful of spectators at the Salt Lake Stadium as the two sides dished out a pathetic display of soccer with the game confined mainly to the midfield.
The only chance of the match came Tollygunge's way in the 64th minute, when Samsi Reza essayed a delectable minus from the left, but the Nigerian Akeem Abolanle failed to reach the ball despite being favourably placed close to the goal.
Both sides laid stress on building solid defensive organisations, but the midfielders looked painstakingly slow and creative moves were almost always absent.
The visitors showed the initial initiative, but Tollygunge seized the initiative midway into the opening session, but their attacks seemed to peter out near the rival defensive zone.
Salgaocar, on the other hand, found the Tollygunge defence tough, as Abhijit Khotel came up with a fine performance, repeatedly snuffing out the Goan club's moves.
After 20 matches, Tollygunge now have 19 points, while Salgaocar are four points ahead.
With Indian Bank certain to be demoted, Tollygunge are now in the ninth spot jointly with Mohun Bagan, but the latter have played two matches less. Today's result is bound to increase the worries for Mohammedan Sporting who now occupy the penultimate slot in the 12 team race with 18 points from 20 outings.
