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I-League: Mohun Bagan pip Pailan Arrows 3-2

Mohun Bagan managed to pulled off a narrow 3-2 win over a resurgent Pailan Arrows in a closely-contested round 21 I-League fixture in Kalyani on Sunday

The relegation-wary Mohun Bagan took a 3-0 lead in no time with Aibor Khongjee (5th) and Tolgay Ozbey (19th, 20th) striking in tandem.

But the AIFF developmental outfit showed fine character after the early setback and made their way back brilliantly with goals from Shaiju Mon (41st) and Seminlen Doungel (49th) but could not find the equaliser.

With the win, Mohun Bagan remained on course to avoid relegation as they jumped to nine points from 16 matches, three behind the other relegation-threatened side United Sikkim FC.

Mohun Bagan, who were without Odafa Okolie — suffering from fever, got the breakthrough when defender Khongjee found the net off a Jewel Raja corner that was helped along by Rahim Nabi.

Australian striker Ozbey doubled the lead in the 18th minute with a spectacular goal when he shielded his marker and finished a probing-pass from Quinton Jacobs with sharp turn from top of the box.

Ozbey added another one to Mohun Bagan’s tally when he latched on to another Jewel Raja corner and found the back of the Arrows net with a snap shot.

For Arrows, Prabir Das set up M Shaijumon with a nice through ball that foxed the opposition defence and set the former up with the opportunity.

The Arrows midfielder made no mistake with his placement.

Arrows maintained the pressure after the break and found the second goal.

Dougel measured up to a nice cross from upfront colleague Holicharan Narzary and found the Mohun Bagan net with a neat header. Arrows’ search for the equaliser did not materialise as Mohun Bagan put extra men in their defence and blocked the attempts of their opponents.