A resilient Real Kashmir FC (RKFC) pulled off a come-from-behind 2-1 win over a spirited Sreenidi Deccan FC and retained the IFA Shield title at the East Bengal ground on Wednesday.

The David Robertson-coached side endured a below-par outing in the first half as the I-League debutants from Vizag dominated with their superior tactical and technical display. They went ahead in the 30th minute, thanks to Colombian centre-forward David Castaneda Munoz.

Deccan FC staved off some valiant attacks by RKFC in the second half and all they had to do was to see through the final three minutes to cap their dream journey with a maiden title on debut.

But they were undone by inexperience as RKFC made a dramatic turnaround, riding their dependable Spaniard and Scottish duo of Fran Gonzalez (90+3 minutes) and Mason Robertson (100th minute) who struck one each to help their side emerge winners.

The Fernando Santiago Varela-coached outfit dominated the proceedings early on. Their attacking midfielder Girik Khosla set it up from the left as David tapped the ball brilliantly and turned it around to fire in a powerful right-footer to give Deccan FC the early advantage and score his fourth goal of the tournament.

In the second half, RKFC stepped it up but could not convert their chances with Thoi Singh missing two sitters. In the 66th minute, Thoi squandered a fine opportunity when he was set up brilliantly by a Mason throw-in but Thoi’s shot hit the upright.

Time was fast running out for RKFC with the match getting into the second-half stoppage time. Fran brought up the equaliser in the 90+3rd minute to take the match into extra-time.

It was Mason who set it up with a clinical centre from the right and Fran chested the ball before shooting from an acute angle. In the 100th minute, Mason seized on a superb centre from Pratesh Shirodkar and towered above his rival defenders for the winning header.

Deccan FC gave it their all and also brought in their goalkeeper CK Ubaid into the attack in the dying minutes of the extra-time but RKFC defence held on.

RKFC owner, Sandeep Chattoo, dedicated the win to the supporters of RKFC in the Valley. “The boys have made Kashmir proud. Indeed it’s a glory that will bring a lot cheers to the supporters of RKFC back home,” Chattoo said.