By I-League Media

Pune: The wait for a second win was elongated further for the hosts DSK Shivajians as they managed to hold visitors Shillong Lajong 1-1 in the last game of the first half of the Hero I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium here on Sunday.

Pierrick Dipanda Dica scored the equaliser for the hosts in the 60th minute to cancel out the early lead of the Reds, who netted their only goal in the 3rd minute of the game from the Brazilian game-maker Uilliams Souza Silva.

Earlier in the first half, DSK Shivajians lost the plot very early in the game when Uilliams Silva slotted in the opening goal on a neat pass from Penn Orji in the 3rd minute of the match which went past Subrata Pal into the lower left corner.

A minute before though Amiri had sent in a ball from the edge of the box down the right to Juan Quero, but his effort went in vain as the ball hit a Lajong defender on the chest and was parried safely out of the danger zone.

Shivajians, on the other hand, made five changes in their 8th game of the season. Coach Derrick Pereira significantly brought in Subrata into the starting eleven. Aser Dipanda was also back in the forward line while Israil Gurung started in the left wing.

Uillimas almost made it 2-0 when he fooled Shivajians defender and raced into the box to take a low shot from a close range. After collecting a superb pass from Zodingliana, Uillimas sprinted towards the goal, but Shivajians defender Dhot foiled the move.

DSK Shivajians created a few chances for themselves when Douhou Pierre shot from 25 yards in the 12th minute of the game but his effort went abegging.

In the second half, the visitors made a quick change as Samuel Lalmuanpia was replaced by Jacob Lalrawngbawla.

It was on the hour mark when Dipanda Dica hurled to save the day for the hosts. Juan Quero Barraso gave a quick pass to Sena Ralte who sent a cutting-edge cross to Dipanda who headed it home neatly.

The equaliser was enough for the sizeable crowd to go berserk.

Shillong made another change when Robin Gurung made it a way for Th. Bipin Singh in the 65th minute.

In the 71st minute, Boithang Haokip tried his part with a crackling shot but the ball landed in the safe hands of Subrata Paul.

DSK Shivajians tried their level best to take the lead as they almost got near at times. With already equalising, the hosts upped their attack in order to find the second goal.

Pierric Dipanda got close in the 80th minute when he tried a back volley within 18 yards but the ball went inches away from the goal.

There was a collision between DSK Shivajains goalkeeper Subrata Paul and Uilliams Souza in the dying minutes of the match and the game was halted for a few minutes.

Derrick Pereira had to replace Paul with Prosenjit Ghosh three minutes to the final whistle.

With the result, DSK Shivajians still remain at the bottom with 5 points while Shillong Lajong are now fifth just above Mumbai FC.