JCT Mills, Phagwara, and Tollygunge Agragami battled to a 2-2 draw in a crucial 21st round match in the National Football League at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Thursday.

Down by a first-half goal, JCT rallied brilliantly in the second-half, scoring two quick goals. But Tollygunge Agragami levelled the score at the dying moments to steal a point.

After the 21st round, JCT have 35 points while Tollygunge have 23.

Tollygunge went ahead when striker Ashim Biswas booted home his tenth goal of the NFL in the eigth minute, following a pass from Sandip Das.

Stung by the reverse, JCT coach Sukhvinder Singh withdrew his veteran striker I M Vijayan in the second-half and fielded the energetic Hardeep Gill, who immediately delivered by striking twice.

Hardeep levelled the score in the 65th minute following a centre from Jo Paul Ancheri. Ten minutes later the substitute again banged home beating Tollygunge keeper Arindam Ghosh.

But just when it looked as if JCT would take full points from the match, Tollygunge striker Akeem Abul Alem found the net after being put through by Ashim Biswas in the dying minutes of the match.

Tollygunge midfielder Debkumar Sashmal was named the man of the match.

UNI