Jaipur, March 26 Rajasthan United FC drew 1-1 with Diamond Harbour FC in a hard-fought match in the Indian Football League on Thursday.
Jonathan Fernandes (51') gave the home side the lead with a penalty, and R. Ramdinthara (82') equalised for the visitors.
Diamond Harbour remained in second place with 10 points, level with Sreenidi Deccan FC. Rajasthan United remained in fifth place with eight points from five matches.
Both sides threatened early in the first 10 minutes. Jonathan Fernandes of Rajasthan United fired wide from the edge of the box, while Luka Majcen of Diamond Harbour failed to score after a precise cross from Jobby Justin.
Chances were limited as both sides struggled to control the midfield. Set pieces continued to be the source of attacking opportunities in the closely contested match.
The closest either team came to scoring was when Jobby Justin crossed the ball from the right, and goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri could only parry it into a dangerous area.
Antonio Moyano then received the loose ball and seemed certain to score, but a last-ditch tackle from Pragyan Gogoi denied him.
The home side took the lead early in the second half from a penalty. Left-back Robilal Mandi was beaten by Thomyo Shimray and brought down inside the box, conceding the penalty. Jonathan Fernandes then expertly converted the penalty past Dheeraj Singh.
Diamond Harbour's persistence paid off eight minutes from the end as they equalised. Moyano passed a perfectly timed through ball to Ramdinthara, and the substitute timed his run perfectly to dribble into the box and score past the goalkeeper.
Shillong Lajong defeated Gokulam
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In the other match of the day, goals from Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah (36') and Tremiki Lamurong (65') guided Shillong Lajong FC to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri, Goa.
With this win, Shillong Lajong moved into the top three with 10 points, level on points and goal difference with Sreenidi Deccan FC and Diamond Harbour FC, while The Malabarians slipped to eighth with five points from as many matches.
Tremiki Lamurong was named the Player of the Match.
