Santosh Tamang scored a goal and provided an assist as Tribhuvan Army FC overcame a one-goal deficit to beat Sankata Club 3-1 and maintain their unbeaten run in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League on Tuesday.

Army fell behind after Sankata forward Uttam Rai headed past Army goalkeeper Biwash Chaudhary in the 15th minute at the Dasharath Stadium. Chaudhary had come as a replacement of Army’s first choice goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu, who was suspended after being sent off in the 95th minute in their match against Himalayan Sherpa last week.

George Prince Karki and Tek Bahadur Budhathoki were also on target as all three Army goals came in the second half.

But it was Chaudhary who prevented Army from falling further behind, making a quick double save in the 27th minute. The goalkeeper blocked Tika Raj Gurung’s bullet from outside the penalty box and again reacted quickly, punching the ball away after Rai had headed the rebound.

Army were back in the game after an hour without scoring when Tamang rifled a shot past Sankata goalie Rohit Karki from the edge of the area.

Prince Karki completed the comeback in the 74th minute comfortably putting the ball into the bottom corner after good work from Tamang in the midfield.

First-half substitute Budhathoki sealed the win in the 86th minute volleying over the glovesman Karki from the penalty area.

The fifth win in 12 matches helped Army leapfrog second-placed New Road Team (NRT) and third-placed Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) to the second spot. Army, who have played seven draws, are also the second team to keep their unbeaten streak in the league this season after Machhindra Club. Machhindra retained their ‘A’ Division League trophy last week before playing their two games. Army have 22 points, two behind both NRT and MMC.

Army play MMC in their crunch fixture in the final round, with both teams eying a second-placed finish in the league. NRT have a relatively easy match against strugglers Nepal Police Club.

-Police, APF share spoils-

Earlier, Police and APF FC shared a point each after playing a 1-1 draw in the departmental derby.

Police took the lead after just 23 seconds at the Dasharath Stadium following a huge miscommunication between APF goalkeeper Yuya Kuriyama and defender Adama Doumbia, for which the goalie was mostly at fault.

Soon after the game kicked off, police defender Kapil Dhakal sent a through long ball that went over the APF defence and bounced towards their penalty area.

Sensing danger, Kuriyama quickly rushed outside the box but the Japanese goalkeeper’s needless reaction not only put APF in problem but also obstructed Doumbia’s path, the defender almost collided with the goalkeeper as he attempted to clear the ball and ended up making a weak clearance allowing Suman Lama to poke into an open net from outside the area.

APF had all the time they needed to get back into the game and equalised late in the first half. Pradip Lama comfortably placed the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box after Police defender Sajan Rai’s weak clearance fell into his path.

The draw puts APF in the eighth position in the league standings with 15 points while Police are 11th with 12 points.

Bottom-two clubs Chyasal Youth Club and Brigade Boys have already been relegated to the ‘B’ Division League.

The 13th and final round of the league starts on Thursday.