Santosh Trophy: Bengal finish 1-1 with Delhi

Kolkata, (IANS) - Twenty nine-time champions Bengal avoided the ignominy of a defeat with a late strike to finish 1-1 with an in-form Delhi in a quarter final B group game of the 64th Santosh Trophy here Friday.

Medio Jayanta Sen struck two minutes from the final whistle to restore parity for the hosts at the Salt Lake stadium.

Earlier, striker Tuishim Mashangva put the visitors ahead in the 40th minute.

The day's other Group B quarter final tie saw Tamil Nadu get past Mizoram 2-0 with C. Sabeeth and R. Rajesh finding the target.

Delhi, who have been in sparkling form in the tournament, displayed solid defending, thwarting the substantial number of raids carried out by the hosts thorough the match.

Bengal switched to an attack mode from the initial minutes but failed to convert the chances that came their way.

Tarif Ahmed had rival goalkeeper Pronoy Roy at his mercy but his shot ballooned over, much to the chagrin of the Bengal camp. A little later, Tarif set up Robin Singh, who failed to take a prompt shot and the chance went abegging.

The visitors went ahead against the run of play, capitalising on a Bengal defensive lapse. Left unguarded by the Bengal central defenders, the dangerous Mashangva let go a snap header into the net by following up a Vikas Rawat cross.

Bengal missed more chances in the second session, while Delhi custodian Roy also brought off two fine saves.

The hosts looked desperate for the equalizer as time wore on, and finally managed to make the scoreline 1-1 in the 88th minute as Jayanta netted with a firm right footer.