Mohammedan Sporting rode on a late strike by S K Sanjib to pip Tollygunge Agragami 1-0 in a drab and listless eight National Football League match at Kolkata on Friday.

Nigerian Edeh Chidih back-headed a Syed Rahim Nabi centre and Sanjib came up in time and shot home from close in the 87th minute to carry his side to its  first victory in the current edition of the high-profile league at the Salt Lake stadium.

Tollygunge defender Sujit Neogy was partially responsible for the goal as he failed to go for a quick covering.

After six matches, Sporting now have four points, two less then Tollygunge who suffered their second consecutive defeat during the day.

The match, played almost in slow motion, may as well be regarded as the worst match of the tournament so far.

None of the sides got any positive chances in the first half, when the match was confined to the midfield.

After the break, Tollygunge, who apparently wanted a single point from the match, went into a defensive shell and  paid the price.

Sporting got two other chances during the session. In the 50th minute, a Bungo Singh shot hit the crosspiece, before Nabi's rebound went out.

Eleven minutes later, a Bungo Singh free kick was headed by Nabi, but Tollygunge custodian Chinmoy Banerjee brought off a fine save.