The Shillong side scored a consolation goal through Jacob Lalrawngbawla in the injury time of the second half.
With Salgaocar pressing up, the visitors could only defend as the mighty Salgaocar defensive wall foiled all their efforts.
Singto made a couple of changes after the break bringing on Redeem Tlang and Samuel Shadap. But for all their attacks in the first half, the green shirts took the lead through their best player of the match Jairu. Making the most of a pinpoint layoff from Duffy, the 32-year old slotted home at the far post with an advancing Vishal finally breached.
Salgaocar pulled away in between a superb save from India’s no.1 Subrata Paul who denied Shadap with a fine low save. This time Thangjam’s corner found Gurjinder who leapt highest to nod in. Earlier Pawan Kumar had hit the crosspiece from a similar Thangjam flag kick.
Courtesy the result, Lajong now face an uphill task with two losses from as many games while Salgaocar would breathe a sigh of relief after the loss to Bengaluru FC in the Fed Cup opener.
Our Margo correspondent adds: East Bengal left it late, a little too late but in the nick of time to deny 10-man Royal Wahingdoh a morale-boosting draw in a tightly fought Group A Hero Federation Cup match here at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday (December 31, 2014).
Nigerian Dudu Omagbemi headed in from substitute Joachim Abranches’ cross after Leo Bertos took a short corner in the 96th minute of the match in which Wahingdoh played with ten men for 81 minutes including added time.
Royal Wahingdoh FC looked threatening enough to turn the tables early moments of the game with striker Jackichand Singh was in his elements and troubled the rival defence with speed and dash
Royal Wahingdoh’s midfielder Lalmangahanga was sent off in the 16th minute for foul on East Bengal’s Abhishek Das and was penalized by Referee Vairamuthu for dangerous tackle.
The numerical advantage did not help East Bengal as the Shillong team was well organized and never allowed their famed rival strikers to manoeuvre inside the territory. Royal Wahingdoh FC Goalkeeper Nikhil Bernard was outstanding as he showed fine reflexes to keep his slate clean.
East Bengal slowly conjured some opportunities but Dudu and Ranty Martins frittered away from hand-shaking distance.
East Bengal nearly breakthrough but midfielder Mehtab Hossain’s rasping volley missed the mark narrowly.
East Bengal continued their domination after the cross over and raised vision of being business and nearly scored soon after resumption but Abshikek Das’ feeble push went straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper.
East Bengal were unlucky in the injury time when midfielder Mehtab Hossain rasping shot kissed the cross bar. It was eventually Milan Susak’s assist which saw Dudu header enter the rival nylons to give his team three valuable points and keep hopes alive for the semi-final spot.
