Bengaluru: SC Bengaluru succumbed to their first loss of the season as the former champions went down 3-5 in a thriller to visiting NEROCA FC in I-League 2 at the Dravid-Padukone CoE here on Saturday.
NEROCA, who appeared a much-improved side that went down 2-0 to FC Bengaluru United (FCBU) last week at the same venue, won the goalfest through a hat-trick from Phijam Sanathoi Meetei (2nd, 13th, 90+2nd minute) and a brace from substitute forward Alocious M (81st, 88th).
SCB were inching towards win till the 80th minute before Alocious scored two quick goals. The No. 9 headed from a corner to equalise first and then poked in the leading goal from close range following a set-up by Phijam.
SC Bengaluru held 3-3 after blowing two-goal lead in I-League 2 openerEarlier, Devadath S (35th) Abhishek Powar (45+2nd) put SCB ahead by the end of the first half after NEROCA scored thrice, including an own goal Nongmeikapam Sanathoi, in the first 13 minutes.
The result lifted NEROCA (4 points from 5 games) one place above the sole relegation spot while SCB (5 from 4) dropped to sixth behind FCBU on goal difference.
Both SCB and FCBU will play their next matches on April 27 (Monday) as the former hosts Assam's Karbi Anglong Morning Star while FCBU visit Sudeva Delhi.
Result: SCB: 3 (Nongmeikapam Sanathoi 12th OG, Devadath S 35th, Abhishek Powar 45+2nd) lt to NEROCA: 5 (Phijam Sanathoi Meetei 2nd, 13th, 90+2nd, Alocious M 81st, 88th).