Sony Nordy found the target late in the second half to help Mohun Bagan down Neroca FC 1-0 in the I-League at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.
The Haitian found the winner off a fine solo effort after Bagan had weathered a flurry of attacks. The win, its second at home, took Bagan to the fifth spot, tied with Neroca on 21 points from 13 outings. The visitors, having played only 12 matches, stays fourth.
Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul had a tough time under the bar as the visitors broke through the defence quite a few times. Neroca, the I-League runner-up last season, showed good organisation and kept the hosts busy for most of the first half.
Encouraged by the win against the holder Minerva Punjab FC in the last outing at the same venue, Bagan’s new coach Khalid Jamil made minimal changes to the squad, bringing back Lalchhawnkima in place of Dalraj Singh to bolster the defence.
Neroca coach Manuel Fraile preferred to retain the team that downed Shillong Lajong in its pervious match.
Emerging unscathed from the opening half, where Paul blocked some fine efforts from the likes of Subhash Singh and Malem Meete, Bagan showed more initiative after the change of ends.
Bagan increased the men in attack, bringing in Henry Kisekka.
Norde broke the deadlock in the 78th minute tearing through through the defensive array and firing home an angular drive that beat goalkeeper Lalit Thapa.
The result: Mohun Bagan 1 (Sony Norde 78) bt Neroca FC 0.