Mohun Bagan moved to fourth spot after downing leader Pune FC 1-0 in a fifth round match of the I-League here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Young defender Pritam Kotal found the winner in the 77th minute to realise full points for Bagan. After the win, the team has seven points (wins and a draw).
After the goalless draw against Salgaocar FC in the previous round, Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen made three changes.
The ploy worked well for the hosts as it defended well cutting off their rival’s attacks early.
Pune FC, with three wins and a draw, could not sustain the momentum.
Bagan had its share of chances through some set-piece situations, but the strikers, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sony Norde, were not sharp enough to convert those chances.
But the host broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when Balwant Singh released Sony Norde on left and the Haitian striker sent a measured cross that Kotal connected with a nice header to find the back of the net.
Despite suffering its first loss, Pune FC continued to lead the table (10 points from five matches).
The results: Mohun Bagan 1 (Kotal 77) bt Pune FC 0 .
