Shillong: Mohun Bagan had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Shillong Lajong after conceding a last-gasp goal to see their title defence slip further in the Hero I-League football, here on Tuesday.
This was their third winless match on the trot.
India international Jeje Lalpekhlua, who missed a penalty in Mohun Bagan's 1-2 loss against East Bengal last Saturday, put the defending champs ahead at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Brazilian striker Uilliams Bomfim equalised for the home team.
The match was tied 1-1 at half-time.
Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa put Mohun Bagan ahead in the 77th minute only for Bomfim to score his second goal in the fifth minute of added time to snatch a point for his side.
Mohun Bagan remained on top of the standings with 26 points from 14 matches, ahead of Bengaluru FC (25 from 12) and East Bengal (23 from 12). Lajong stayed fourth but improved to 15 points after 13 matches.
In another match, a sloppy East Bengal squandered a fine lead through Ashutosh Mehta's late goal and settled for a 2-2 draw against Mumbai FC to see their title hopes get a jolt at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat.
Trailing by a Steven Dias goal in the 15th minute, East Bengal produced a turnaround with strikes from Ranty Martins (25th) and Bernard Mendy (59th).
But their defense was caught napping with Mumbai FC scoring one against the run of play in the 77th minute when Mehta sneaked behind the left with a freeheader to beat goalkeeper Luis Barreto.
With defending champions and table leaders Mohun Bagan (26) and third-placed East Bengal (24) dropping points from their respective matches, it would now brighten the hopes of 2013-14 champions Bengaluru FC who are second with 25 points and will face qualifiers DSK Shivajians in Pune on Wednesday.
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