Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) East Bengal conceded a last minute goal to finish 1-1 with Salgaocar Sports Club, Goa, in an I-League encounter here Thursday.
In search of their first win in the high-profile league, East Bengal took the lead in the 12th minute as Abel Hammond fired home a volley to raise expectations among the handful of supporters at Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat, about 30 km from here.

However, a costly lapse by goalkeeper Arup Debnath denied the home side full three points, with Nigerian Ekene Ikenwe finding the target. After five games, East Bengal now occupy the 11th slot with three points.

Having played a game less, Salgaocar are placed eighth on five points. The East Bengal goal came from a thunderous right footed angual volley let loose form 22 yards by Hammond, who put up a superb show and combined well with Ghanaian Yusif Yakubu to harass the rival defence off and on.

However, moments before the final whistle, Debnath made heavy weather in collecting a Lestor Fernandes shot and Ikenwe followed up well to put the ball into the net.

However, East Bengal have largely to blame themselves for not managing full points from the game as they missed several golden chances.