Defender Wesley Brown found the winner midway through first half to help Kerala Blasters FC score 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League at the Indira Gandhi stadium here on Saturday.
While making up for the sluggishness in his team’s attack, Brown’s set-piece conversion secured full three points for the visitors and kept them in the hunt for a playoff berth.
The win took Blasters to 24 points from 16 outings, a point adrift of fourth-placed Jamshedpur FC.
Blasters went into the break with a vital lead. Despite being out of contention, the hosts showed the right intent from the start.
Blasters’ goalkeeper Paul Rachubka had to make a couple of good saves early to keep the sheet clean before Brown nodded home the goal making the most of a fine corner from Jackichand Singh.
The former Manchester United defender made up for the lack of purpose of his colleagues — C.K. Vineeth and Gudjon Baldvinsson — upfront when he stepped up from the back-line in the 28th minute to guide home the corner that Jackichand floated deep inside the United box.
Blasters had come close to scoring from open play in the 19th minute but failed to find the net as Vineeth struggled to connect a free ball.
NEUFC had its best opportunity in the 10th minute when its Swedish striker set up Brazilian Danilo Cezario. The latter could not generate enough power on his attempt allowing Rachubka to pull off a save.
Blasters slowed down proceedings in an attempt to preserve the lead after the break. Jamshedpur continued its quest for the equaliser but could only see the ball coming off the cross-piece in the 72nd from a Lalrindika Ralte effort.
The frustration of seeing his team suffer a seventh defeat at home seemed to tell on celebrated coach Avram Grant, who was sent off as he entered the playing arena to argue with the referee following an incident (in 90+ 4 minutes) involving Baldvinsson and home forward John Mosquera.
The result: North East United 0 lost to Kerala Blasters (Wesley Brown 28).
