Pune, Jan 18 (IANS) Dempo regained their top position with a comfortable 3-1 win over 10-man Air India in the 15th round I-League football encounter at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune Wednesday.

Ranti Martins was in the thick of action and scored two goals in the 56th and 88th minutes after having missed a penalty early in the match, while fellow striker Koko Sakibo scored one in the 77th minute as Dempo showed that the loss at home to the same team in December was just an aberration.

For Air India, Sandeep Sangha reduced the deficit in injury time, bringing in some consolation.

Air India, who survived a scare early on in the game after Dempo missed the penalty, took advantage and attacked them with full force. Henry Ezeh and Sandeep Sangha created two chances upfront but Ezeh wasted the efforts.

After the break, Dempo decided to go for the kill. Goans took the lead through Ranti Martins when he forced the ball in on Cressan Antao’s pass.

Dempo then began to control the pace of the match, passing well with Koko and Ranti wreaking havoc upfront.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Denzil Theobald then set up Koko Sakibo who slotted the ball in to the left of overworked Pawan in the 77th minute.

Ranti was again in a thick of a action when he took advantage of a mix-up in the rival defence as Koko and Ranti toyed with the ball before finding the back of the net in 88th minute.

Air India now have 20 points from 15 matches, while Dempo lead the league with 33 points from 15 games they ahve played.