It took SC East Bengal 347 days to end their winless run in ISL as they inflicted a blow to FC Goa’s semi-final hopes with a 2-1 win at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, on Wednesday.

The first win of the season helped SCEB rise from the bottom while the Goan team remained at ninth place in the table. Naorem Mahesh Singh scored in the ninth minute for SCEB against the run of play until Alberto Noguera (37th minute) levelled the score.

Mahesh completed his brace in the 42 nd minute, after a gift from the opposition defender which remained the difference between the teams. FC Goa were dealt a shock in the early stages after an error from Edu Bedia caught Anwar Ali off-guard.

Mahesh taking advantage of the situation pounced on the ball, and put it past the advancing goalkeeper. FC Goa finally scored the equaliser after Jorge Ortiz delivered a defence-splitting pass for Alberto Noguera who found the mark

Three minutes before halftime, Mahesh gave SCEB the lead yet again after Anwar Ali gifted the ball to him. And that remained the winner.