Shillong, March6: Nigerian striker Dudu Omagbemi scored a brace either side of Shillong Lajong’s two goals to just about keep their title hopes alive with a 2-2 draw in a crucial I-League encounter here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.
Dudu gave East Bengal the lead in the 20th minute before a second half stirring performance by the home team saw Aibanbha Kupar Dohling (49th) and Samuel Lalmuanpuia (69th, penalty) score twice to push the visitors on the brink.
In the 88th minute, Dudu, who scored four goals against Chennai City FC in their last game, pulled one back for East Bengal to take them to 30 points, same as third-placed Mohun Bagan with one game in hand.
Second-placed Neroca FC (31 points) take on East Bengal in Kolkata on March 8. Minerva Punjab FC (32 points) are top of the table and play Churchill Brothers in their last outing on the same day.
On March 8, Mohun Bagan will take on Gokulam Kerala FC away in what promises to be a grandstand finish to the league.
Coming to the game, East Bengal got the first chance of the game when Brandon Vanlalremdika set up Dudu into the space between the defenders and the goalkeeper but the Nigerian veteran striker could not meet the aerial ball as home keeper Nidhin Lal punched the ball away.