Title-holders East Bengal overcame a spirited challenge from Indian Bank to win 2-1 while Tata Football Academy upset Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 in quarter-final group league matches in the 108th IFA Shield football tournament in Kolkata on Monday.

In the day's other last-eight exchange, Tollygunge Agragami provided a gritty display to hold Goa's Churchill Brothers 1-1.

East Bengal, opening their Shield campaign against Indian Bank, rallied after trailing 0-1 at the breather to cull full points in the group A encounter at the Salt Lake stadium.

The visitors took the lead through Joseph in the 33rd minute before veteran medio Tushar Rakshit, who came in as substitute, restored parity for the locals in the 57th minute.

Amjad Ali Khan scored the winner in the 87th minute.

Following a Harish centre from the right, the hardworking Joseph kept his cool to tap home from close, much to the dismay of the East Bengal supporters.

Trailing by a goal, East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick brought in Tushar Rakshit who had played a stellar role in the team's recent victory in the Durand Cup final.

The veteran medio, coming as a replacement in the 40th minute, drew level with a top-of-the-box snap shot which Indian Bank goalkeeper Felix Edward strangely tried to clear with his feet, and paid a heavy price, as the ball went in.

Yet another goalkeeping lapse sank the bankmen, as Edward bungled in collecting a centre essayed by Soumitra Chakraborty from the left flank. Amjad Ali, lurking close by, tapped the ball into the net, taking advantage of a goalmouth melee.

The bankmen completed their group engagements with four points.

In group B, TFA played their heart out to strike twice within a space of 11 minutes to put it across the fancied Mohammedan Sporting at the same venue.

Sporting, playing their lung opener, had to pay for a shoddy defence while their upfronters wasted several gilt-edged chances.

Failing to break the Sporting defence in the opening half, TFA relied on fast counter-attacks in the second session which bore fruit as Malswama struck from a combined move in the 67th minute, before Jehry Zirsanga scored from a solo.

With a goalless draw against Vasco Sports Club earlier, TFA now have four points from two outings.

In the other group A league encounter at the East Bengal ground, Churchill went ahead in the 60th minute when Kasif Jamal's powerful left-footer from top of the box rammed into the net past a diving Tollygunge goalkeeper Amar Deb.

Desperate to restore parity, Tollygunge went all out and drew level 10 minutes later as Mehtab Hossain, fed by Akeem Abolanle, fired a long ranger that whisked past Churchill goalie Edward Ansah.

Tollygunge now have one point from two matches while Churchill have two points from as many encounters.