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Dempo hold Salgaocar

October 07, 2009 21:26 IST

Dempo put up an improved performance in the second half to hold Salgaocar Sports Club 1-1 in a second round I-League match at the Tilak ground in Panaji, Goa, on Wednesday.

Dempo have four points after a win and draw, while Salgaocar, whose first match against Viva Kerala was called off because of rain, have one point.

Dempo, who made Mumbai Football Club dance to their tune in their lung opener, were found wanting in defense in the absence of star defender Mahesh Gawli

Visitors Salgaocar, who controlled the proceedings in the first half, took the lead as early as the fourth minute, when Ekena Ikenwa headed home a corner kick, taken from the right by Manjit Singh.

The home team had two good chances to equalise but striker Sunil Chhetri wasted them as he drove the ball over the bar.

It was in the second half that Dempo found their rhythm and

Roberto D'Silva, their playmaker who had scored against Mumbai FC, found the equaliser in the 48th minute following a pass from Nicolau Borges, who was later named man-of-the-match.