JCT quelled a strong challenge from East Bengal to emerge 1-0 victorious in a ninth round ONGC [Get Quote] I-League match at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Saturday.

The home team could have gained the lead in the first session, but their forwards missed the target on a couple of occasions.

The visitors too made frantic raids on the rival citadel. They threatened JCT defence time and again but could not make much use of the moves initiated by Syed Rahim Nabi and Jayanta Sen.

After the barren first half, JCT managed to rip apart East Bengal's defence in the 67th minute which resulted in a penalty kick. Brazilian Eduardo da Silva successfully converted the opportunity to give his team the lead.

With this victory, JCT have accumulated 12 points and are placed at the eighth place while the visitors too have 12 points to their kitty and lie in seventh place.