The win helped BMFC avenge their 0-1 loss to BoI in the first phase of the league and, more important, log three points against a sticky opponent. Earlier, Fr Agnel started their campaign in the relegation league positively, beating MS Police 2-0.

BoI looked a more aggressive side today. They appeared to have relaxed their tight defensive approach. But the best intentions could not gloss over the limitations in their lack-lustre half-line, and much of the progress was made along the left flank, manned by MK Karmughilan. The dark left-footer revelled in tormenting the BMFC defence, and on two occasions in the early stages, his floatersalmost provided BoI the lead.

The BoI defence was surprisingly disorganised in the opening stages, and a few long passes caught them on the wrong foot. BMFC forward Jagjit Singh tested custodian Sanjeev Verma with a booming right-footer in the opening minutes, after fellow attacker Uday Konar had set him up. Verma weathered that battle well.

On other occasions, Jagjit was to blame for holding the ball a shade too long, and found retribution in the form of glares from Konar. Jagjit made amends in the final minute of the first half with a clinical header. A quick counter-attack by BMFC saw Adeshina Sadiq send a ball to Musa Aliu on the right flank. Musa centred for Jagjit to finish.

BoI switched flanks in the second half, bringing in ME Satish for the ineffective Sanjay Hazare. Their pillar in defence, Evaristo Cardoz, moved up and fed the right flank with brilliant through passes. But Cardoz' stepping up weakened the BoI defence, and the BMFC moved in for the kill, egged on by a band drumming supportfrom the stands.

Musa Aliu rose to the occasion, in the 60th minute. A cross from Uday Konar on the left was in his path, and even as the BoI defenders swooped in on the centre, Musa side-stepped to allow fellow Nigerian Sadiq to finish from the right. 2-0.

BoI's reply came from the right flank. Evaristo put Satish through, and the ball was relayed by Anton Saldanha to Chandrakant Poojary at the right post. Poojary and custodian Kalyan Choubey were caught in a tangle, and Karmughilan scored off the rebound.

The BMFC band was unfazed; it kept up the tempo, which rose to a crescendo when substitute Gift Rai Khan crossed one to Jagjit. Jagjit would have scored if the alert Verma had not advanced to cut off the angle.

AGNEL WIN: Seby Andro scored for Fr Agnel in the 16th minute off a cross by Sunil Sachdeva. Agnello Gomes consolidated the lead in the 66th minute off a free-kick.