Former champions Border Security Force edged past Air India 1-0 in a Pool B quarter-final league match in the 108th Servo Beighton Cup hockey tournament in Kolkata on Friday.

The all-important goal was scored by centre-half Marinus Lakra, in the sixth minute of play.

After a good move, Lakra entered the circle and beat Air India goalkeeper Mallan Gowda with a stiff shot.

After the breather Air India applied tremendous pressure on the BSF goal but were unable to achieve anything apart from some penalty-corners, which were also wasted.

Former India internationl Virender Singh, who fought hard in the BSF defence, suffered a nasty gash under his left eye when a rising ball hit him.

Air India will play their last league match in the group against CRPF tomorrow while BSF take on defending championsPunjab and Sind Bank.

UNI