Federation Cup champions Dempo suffered their first defeat as they went down 0-1 to debutants Fransa in a seventh round match of the 9th National Football League in Margao, Goa [Images], on Wednesday.

The winning goal came in the 69th minute, when Sebastiao Endro back-headed a lob by defender Cersson Antao's to beat the advancing Dempo custodian, Satish Kumar.

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It was not Dempo's day as the woodwork twice foiled their attempt to take the lead in the first half.

Dempo even wasted a penalty in the second half as Fransa 'keeper Kalyan Chube, who was declared the man of the match, dived to his left to thrawt Ranty Martins's attempt from the spot.

The penalty was awarded by referee Subrata Sarkar after defender A S Feroze brought down R C Prakash inside the box.

The victory took Fransa's tally points tally to 13 points from seven matches, the same as Dempo, who have played one match less.

East Bengal lead the table with 14 points from six matches.