Dempo Sports Club stayed in contention for the honours in the National Football League after beating JCT Mills, Phagwara, 1-0, in Ludhiana on Monday.

The Federation Cup champions swelled their tally to 38 points from 18 matches, one less than Sporting Clube de Goa [Images], who have played 19 matches, and East Bengal (18 matches), and occupy the third place in the league table.

Sporting Clube are perched at the top by virtue of having scored more goals (38) than East Bengal (31).

Prolific scorer Ranty Martins scored the match-winner for the Goans.

The Nigerian striker, who has 12 goals to his name in the league, did well to connect home a free-kick from Clifford Miranda in the 38th minute which turned out to be the match-winner.