Prayag United SC fought back to post a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar SC in a seventh round match of the I-League football at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Friday.
Augustine Fernandes gave Salgaocar the lead late in the first half before Bello Rasaq fetched the equaliser for Prayag early in the second session.
Playing under its new coach from Holland, Eelco Schattorie, Prayag struggled to create space as its opponent throttled its attacks.
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The tactical contest was initially won by Salgaocar, which played under its new English coach David Booth. It was good comeback for the Goa side, which had lost its previous two matches.
Augustine Fernandes, let off the guard by Prayag’s defence, broke the deadlock in the 41st when he nodded home a swerving corner from Randeep Singh.
The host’s efforts were rewarded in the 58th minute when Nigerian defender Rasaq sent in a powerful freekick past Salgaocar’s goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
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Prayag now has 14 points from its seven outings while Salgaocar has six its seven matches. The result: Salgaocar SC 1 (Augustin Fernandes 41st) drew with Prayag United SC 1 (Bello Rasaq 58th).