Down by a goal at the breather, former champions Salgaocar rallied strongly in the second-half to hold Churchill Brothers 2-2 and pick a point from their 16th round match in the Oil PSU National Football League, at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Wednesday.
Benjamin Ansah (26th minute) and Yakubu Yusif (62nd) scored for Churchill, while Sunday Seah (61st minute) and substitute Sabastiano Endro (75th) accounted for Salgaocar's goals.
Salgaocar are now on par with Vasco Sports Club, with 28 points, but occupy the second spot, behind East Bengal, on better goal difference after 16 outings.
Churchill are placed seventh with 22 points from 16 outings.
In a fast-paced first-half, Churchill went into the attack right from the word go. They could have forged ahead in the first minute but Salgaocar goalkeeper Kalyan Choubey brought off a fine save off a shot from Ratan Singh.
Two minutes later, Salgaocar had a good look at their opponent's goal but a header from Climax Lawrence sailed over the bar.
Yakubu had a golden opportunity to put Churchill ahead in the tenth minute but missed the target by a whisker.
In the 22nd minute, Salgaocar came close to scoring when Bello Rasaq passed to Sunday Seah, who in quick succession, switched the ball to a well-positioned Tomba Singh. The last-named beat Churchill goalkeeper Edward Ansah but shot wide.
Churchill finally shot into the lead in the 26th minute through Benjamin Ansah, whose curling free-kick from the top of the box found the net, beating rival goalkeeper Chowbey.
Salgaocar played with renewed vigour and restored parity in the 61st minute through Sunday Seah. Jatin Bhist took a free-kick and the ball ricocheted off the bottom of the goal post towards an unmarked Seah, who tapped into the net.
Within a minute, Churchill were awarded a spot-kick by referee Walter Pereira after Salgaocar's Bello Rasaq brought down Roque Barretto in the danger zone. Yakubu made no mistake from the spot - 2-1.
Stung by the reverse, Salgacoar stepped up the pace and roared back with the equaliser through substitute Endro, who scored following a measured pass from the right flank by Seah.
