The breakthrough for the winners came as early as in the 19th minute when inside-left Tenzin Tsephei struck with a powerful shot. But nothing happened after that until the change of ends when Shahdara forced their way to make a come back through Anuj Peter. Latching on to a defence lapse, the Shahdra striker slotted the goal. But Rangers stung by the reverse, upped the ante to wrest the game with another goal when Deepak Mehra connected a through pass from the right.

Rangers have seven points from four games while Shahdara have six from as many games.

In the other match of the day, Hindustan were held to a goalless draw by former champions Shastri Club in group B. Hindustan, despite having an upper hand in both sessions, could not capitalist on the chances that came their way.

The clash remained a closely-fought one throughout but Kulbhushan of Hindustan could have put to account an easy chance. But it was not to be as Shastri Football Club defended stoutly in the closing stages to deny full points.