Mahindra United defeated East Bengal 2-1 in a closely fought I-League encounter that put the home team three points ahead of the Kolkata giants in the standings.

Debabrata Roy (own goal, 31st minute) and Mohammad Rafi (71st) came to Mahindra's aid while Edmilson Marques (50th) scored for East Bengal.

Mahindra got off to a shaky start as the visitors applied pressure but failed to convert an early opportunity in the 14th minute when McDonald Mukansi tried to puncture the defence but was thwarted by goalkeeper Sandip Nandy.

But an own-goal from the visitors came as a rude shock as custodian Abhra Mondal charged out to collect the strike of Steven Dias and completely misjudged the deflection from his own defender Debabrata Roy.

The East Bengal team looked a changed side in the second half as Edmilson Marques, Mukansi and Alvito upped the pace and penetrated through the Mahindra defence reaping dividends.

The Kolkata team was awarded a free-kick after Sukhwinder Singh was called for a foul at the edge of the box and Edmilson equalised with a strong right-footer which swirled in to the net, striking the post on the way.

A tired Sukhwinder was substituted in the 63^rd minute with Krishnan Ajayan to keep Edmilson at bay.

Mahindra pulled up their socks and charges through the defence and found the net when Mohammed Rafi scored off a good pass from Sushanth Mathews.

However, the referee started taking cognizance of the aggression from both sides and sent off the home team's Bello Rasaq in the 81st minute after he knocked down Edmilson.

Sushanth Mathew was declared the man of the match.

After the match, Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira said Edmilson's behaviour would be reported to the match commissioner as he allegedly spat on his player for which he was not booked by the referee.

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