Vasco Sports Club staved off a strong second-half fightback to down Tollygunge Agramani by a solitary goal and move to second place in the seventh National Football League, at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Wednesday.

The Goa side dominated the first-half, but could only score in the fifth minute of the second session through striker Rui Wanderlei Weis.

With this victory Vasco have 21 points from ten matches. They moved to second place, displacing Dempo (20).

Tollygunge remain on 10 points from as many matches.

Vasco started off well and dictated terms in the first-half as they moved the ball down both flanks. They could have taken an early lead but Tollygunge 'keeper Arindam Ghosh, who was later declared man-of-the match, came to his team's rescue, saving Marcos Pereira's shot.

Marcos, who was tightly marked, had another chance when put through by Jules Alberto but shot wide from close.

Tollygunge, who relied on long passes to break the rival defence, came close to scoring in the 35th minute but Ashim Biswas's try was parried by keeper Saji Joy, who played his second match, in place of regular keeper Ramos.

After persistent efforts, Vasco took the lead in the second session when medio Riston Rodrigues relayed the ball to Rui from the centre. Rui controlled the ball well and despatched a deft shot which found the net.

The goal forced Tollygunge to go on the offensive. They launched a series of moves with Ashim Biswas and Abolanle combining well.

First Ashmi's header, off Manas Das's flag-kick, was cleared away by defender Seby Dias, while a few minutes later, he saw his header from close going over off an Abolanle cross.

Vasco's midfield cracked under pressure and coach Derrick Perreira bought in Menino Fernandes, Sushanth Mathew and Nitin Pradhan in place of Jules, Riston and Abhay Kumar to restore stability but nothing worked as Tollygunge continued to press for the equaliser.

They nearly succeeded but Seby Dias made a goalline save off substitute Amitava Chandra's header.

Referee Walter Pereira showed yellow cards to Tollygunge's Biswarup Bisu and Amitava Chandra.