Title holders East Bengal were held goalless by Eastern Railway while Mohun Bagan got past Railway Football Club 1-0 in the Kolkata Super Division football league matches in Kolkata on Wednesday.
After finishing 1-1 with arch rivals Bagan in their previous outing, East Bengal stumbled yet again, failing to break the dour defensive approach of the railwaymen.
Playing at the Howrah stadium, East Bengal enjoyed complete domination and got chances galore, but were done in by some poor finishing by their forwards.
Syed Rahim Nabi, who has switched over to the red and yellow brigade from Mohammedan Sporting this year, was the main culprit, squandering three gilt-edged opportunities.
In the other match at the Salt Lake stadium, Mohun Bagan struck the winner in the 68th minute, thanks to a freak goal by substitute Abhay Kumar.
Kumar, who came in as a replacement for Jerry Jirsanga, latched on to a corner towards the left of the box, and essayed a centre which went in, much to the surprise of the RFC players. But much of the responsibility for the goal lay with the RFC defenders who got caught in a web of misunderstanding, not being well to decide who should clear the ball. Goalkeeper Rabindranath Poddar was apparently unsighted.
Bagan could have taken the lead in the first half itself, but for Sunil Chhetri who failed to convert a penalty in the 25th minute, with Poddar coming up with a brilliant save.
The setpiece was given after Asim Biswas was brought down by a rival defender.
Five minutes later, RFC got their only chance of the day as Sanjay Santra let loose a 30 yard pile driver, which was saved by Bagan custodian Prashanta Dora.
After four matches, Bagan now have 10 points, two more than East Bengal.
