A rash and hot headed approach by the cops was never to pay dividends. In the final analysis an unnecessary spot-kick deep into the second-half proved costly. With Sangam effecting fast counters, the cops' defenders were once to often were caught unawares and often resorted to rough play. Trailing 2-3 till the 59th minute, Sangam's left-winger Kiran Sawant, who often fell prey to defender P Patil, set off on his own.

However, on the edge of the box, his run was cut-short by defender Praveen Ghadge who brought down the winger. The act left referee MS Rawat no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick, converted by Raju Nikam. The penalty later turned out to be the cops' downfall. Despite a spirited rally thereafter, in which they pulled one back (3-4) via Sanjay Chorge, their efforts seemed far from match-winning. The goal was a result of a fumble by 'keeper Vijaykumar Chinnaya to a stiff try by Asim Aditya, following a free-kick rebound. The lapse was punished by Sanjay, who booted home in a flash.

Earlier, Sangam after doing most of their attacking from the wings -- Kiran on the left and Javed Pathan on the right -- fell a fraction short in scoring. Javed on two counts had his long rangers dip dangerously, left custodian Sanjay Chogule restruted to his six-yard box. Likewise, with medio Mani Vishawanathan, playing in tandem with Kiran, Sangam were deprived of the lead by unsure finishing.

Nevertheless, Javed scored in the 20th minute. A quickly taken free-kick by Raju Nikam, foxing defenders Ghadge and Patil, left Javed with a simple finish which he did in style the ball kissed the underside of the horizontal before deceiving the 'keeper. Nine minutes later, the cops levelled terms through Vishal Naik. Running well to a long lob by Nishant Nanaware, Vishal's run foxed defenders Rajesh Jakkar and Mahesh Nepali.

Sangam's 'keeper Vijaykumar rashly left his charge. An aerial collision thereafter with Vishal left the 'keeper down and out, and Vishal the gaping goal to slot into. Changing ends, Sangam were in the lead again. Medio Salim Pathan playing first time with Raju Nikam, accounted for defenders Uttam Kadam and Patil, finished with precision -- beating the cops custodian to the second angle (2-1). Sangam's third in the 51st minute was easy. Raju Vairat chipping from the right had the entire City Police defence watch as Raju Nikam headed home (3-1). A two-goal margin seemed a tall order for the cops on the run of play.

However, a left-footed snap shot by Vishal from 25-yards curled and deceived the Sangam 'keeper (2-3) to give the cops a semblance of hope. But, a penalty conceded thereafter proved to be their downfall. At the fag end, City Police's Vishal, with two yellow cards, was sent off for dissent.SHIVAJIANS ADVANCE: In a match player earlier, Shivajians had to wait for the tie-breaker before overcoming a fighting State Reserve Police Force (Group-I) 6-5, after sharing a goal each in regulation time. With Raju Pol giving SRPF the lead 24 minutes into the game, Myomein pulled Shivajians abreast after ten minutes.

In the ensuing, tie-breaker, Shivajians had Vivek Rokhade, Vivek Nagul, Myomein, Nitin D'Souza and Cedric Fernandes make a cent percent impact. While, SRPF Raju Pol, Dutta Thorat, Rajesh Malsekar, James Bernard managed to find the net, after Vijay Kadam failed -- his effort being read well by the Shivajians 'keeper Prakash Rawat.

Today's Fixtures: Thundercatz v Youth Club Khadakwasla -- 2.30 p.m; Youngsters v Roopali Sports Club -- 3.30 p.m.