Bengaluru: A late own goal by Aruna Bag (85th minute) cost Kickstart FC dearly as the Bengaluru-based side was held to a 1-1 draw by Nita FA in their AIFF NCoE clash in Kolkata on Thursday.

Kickstart had taken the lead in the 49th minute through a moment of sheer quality, as Kiran Pisda produced a spectacular first-touch volley off a first-time cross delivered by Mariyammal Balamurugan from the left flank. The move, coming from a swift counter-attack, put Kickstart ahead firmly against the run of play.

Despite going in front, Kickstart rode their luck midway through the second half. In the 64th minute, they survived a major scare when a dangerous delivery from NFA's Neha was cleared off the line. The ball fell kindly to Matilda Kwao, whose first-time header rattled the crossbar before sailing over, handing Kickstart a huge let-off.

Kickstart continued to threaten on the break and nearly doubled their lead late in the game, but Saru Limbu failed to make the most of a promising counter-attacking opportunity in the 85th minute.

Moments later, they were made to pay. Aruna Bag inadvertently turned the ball into her own net while attempting to control a cross from Matilda, with no opposition player applying pressure at the far post, as Nita FA snatched a late equaliser.

The result keeps Kickstart in the relegation zone, placed seventh with seven points from eight matches. They will next face bottom-placed SESA on May 3.