East Bengal struck in the space of six minutes after Mohun Bagan got the lead as they settled for a 1-1 draw in an otherwise lacklustre I-League derby clash at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan here on Tuesday.
Mohun Bagan drew the first blood in the 24th minute when its marquee recruit Pierre Boya perfectly headed a clinical corner by Katsumi Yusa past Abhijit Mondal under the bar.
A minute earlier, Mondal saved a powerful Boya header from a close angle but this time he was out of reach to thwart the Cameroon striker’s attempt.
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But the joy was shortlived as East Bengal, which was the host of the first leg, brought the match on an even keel and it was Ranty Martins who made amends for his costly miss in the first minute with a brilliant header.
The goal was set up by Mehtab Hossain from a corner; he played a nice ball to Mama who curled it in with Martins timing it perfectly for the equaliser.