LUDHIANA, JANUARY 30: Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills, Phagwara, split points with table toppers Churchill Brothers in a 1-1 draw in the final fixture of the 4th National Football League first-leg at Guru Nanak Stadium on Sunday. Churchill maintained their top slot with 23 points while JCT (17) share fourth place with Salgaocar.The visitors badly missed star striker and highest scorer of the championship Francis Silveira, who had two bookings.It was Hardip Sangha who struck in the 18th minute to take JCT ahead (1-0). Goan defender Ukrainian Mykola Shevchenko attempted to block the ball with his chest, but Sangha anticipated well and guided the rebound in the net. Taken aback, the Goans counter-attacked with repeated raids on millmens' territory. Marcus Carvalho put the ball in (32nd) beating JCT defenders and goalkeeper but the referee ruled it off side.Upset at the ruling, Churchill players surrounded the referee but better sense prevailed. Churchill equalised in the 65th minute, after a skier fromgoalkeeper Edward Ansah landed just in front of Phagwara box. It was taken well by Osumanu Husseni, whose flick to Marcus Carvalho was headed in.
