Hosts Kerala bounced back from a goal down to beat Bengal 5-4 in the penalty shootout and win their seventh Santosh Trophy title at the Manjeri Payyanad Football Stadium here on Monday.

Playing in front of a packed crowd, official attendance was 26,857, the Bino George-coached Kerala failed to break the Bengal defence in the regulation time. That was mainly due to the presence of Priyant Singh under the bar.

The record 32-time champions, aiming to avenge their final defeat at home four years back, went ahead in the extra-time through a sensational diving header by Dilip Orawn (97th).

But Bengal defence, spearheaded by skipper Monotosh Chakladar, crumbled in the last four minutes of extra-time in what was an action replay of Bengal’s goal.

Just when the crowd turned hostile and started throwing bottles from the stands, Bibin Ajayan scored the equaliser with a leaping header after being set up by Noufal PN from the right flank.

Bengal kicked off the penalty shootout with Orawn’s strike but in their second attempt Sajal Bag shot wide which turned decisive in the end. Bablu Ora, Tanmoy Ghosh and goalkeeper Priyant converted their chances and in the final attempt they left the big task for substitute goalkeeper Raja Burman to deny Kerala the winning penalty.

Burman tried his best but Faslurahman Methukayil sealed it, shooting the ball into the top corner to clinch their first Santosh Trophy on home soil since 1993 (Kochi).