JCT staged a strong second half rally to hold formidable Churchill Brothers 1-1 in an exciting ONGC [Get Quote] I-league match, at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa [Images], on Sunday.

Churchill Brothers took the lead in the 27th minute. JCT substitute Amandeep Singh restored parity in the 48th minute.

Churchill Brothers now have 11 points from five games while JCT have nine from six.

Both the teams played at a fast pace and were evenly matched.

JCT, who held the edge initially, threatened with their speedy runs, building their moves mostly from the right. They had an opportunity to surge ahead in the 11th minute, but Alwant Singh was late in taking his shot, allowing Robert Lalathlamuana to clear the ball.

Churchill took time to settle down and with Man of the Match Ogba Kalu pulling the strings, the hosts gradually took control of the midfield.

However, Kalu was unlucky to see his long ranger hit the post in the 22nd minute. He provided another assist to Okolie Odafa, whose stiff grounder missed the target narrowly.

Odafa, who was given very little liberty to operate inside the box, managed to shake off his marker to head home a well-directed cross from the right by Felix Chimaokwu in the 27th minute to have Churchill Brothers leading 1-0 at half-time.

JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh introduced Amandeep Singh in place of Baldeep Singh (Jr) and he did not disappoint him  as he equalised in the 48th minute when he shot home from inside the box off a pass from Jagpreet Singh following a goalmouth melee from a throw-in from the left.

The goal spurred JCT and they attacked with more vigour and kept the rival defence under pressure.

They had a glorious chance to take the lead in the 58th minute but Baljit Sahni failed to cash in on the chance as he drove the ball out after the goalkeeper blocked a shot from Eduardo Escobar.

Earlier, Odafa saw his free-kick being blocked by Karanjit Singh.

With the match heading for a draw, Churchill Brothers pressed hard in search of the elusive goal, but substitute Reisangmi Vashum failed to direct his header on target from close after Odafa sent a cross from the left.

Churchill Brothers' coach Zoran Djordjevic was disappointed as his boys did not play up to his expectations.

"We missed close chances and failed to hold on to the slender lead which we gained in the first half," Zoran said.

Sukhwinder was delighted that his boys fought well in the second half.

"I am happy the way our boys played," Sukhwinder said.

Referee Dinesh Nair showed the yellow card to Churchill Brothers' Govin Mojrangthem Singh, Robert and JCT's Eduardo.