MAPUSA: Ten-man Dempo SC went down fighting by 0-1 margin against Salgaocar FC in the CAM Goa Professional League played at Duler stadium here on Monday.
Both the teams did start aggressively with strikes from Salgaocar's Umang Gaikwad and Akash Sanadi travelling skywards while at the other end Dempo's Kirtikesh Gadekar, Klusner Pereira and U20 Necio Fernandes followed suit.
In the 18th minute, Golden Eagles were awarded a penalty when Kirtikesh Gadekar strike at the goal from the edge of the box striked Salgaocar's Krishnanath Shirodkar hand where referee Tejas Nagvenkar pointed to the dreaded spot bringing a strong appeal from the players and team officials.
However keeper Jason D'Mello flung to his right to block Pedro Gonsalves shot and once again blocked the rebound from Desmon Pereira strike.
In the 40th minute, a long cross by Salgaocar's Akash Sanadi at the far post saw U20 Shaviz Phathan fumble with his header.
At the other end, Pedro Gonsalves danced inside the Salgaocar's goal area and tried to shoot at the goal which was blocked by defender Saurabh Patil.
In the added time Dempo received a jolt with keeper Savio Pereira being sent off by the referee for handling the ball outside the penalty box off a cross by Umang Gaikwad.
Just seven minutes into the second session, Salgaocar had a to take the lead but substitute Fhezer Gomes hot blooded shot from outside the penalty box was collected with a diving save by keeper Wellyster Mendes.
However, in the 81st minute, this time Fhezer Gomes was lucky as his 25-yard left footer crashed into the back of Dempo nylons beating keeper Wellyster to give his side the lead.
It would have been curtains down for Dempo, in the 92nd minute when Fhezer collecting a through pass from Samuel Costa darted inside the penalty box and drilled a grounder but was blocked by keeper Wellyster for corner.
Jason D'Mello of Salgaocar received the man of the match award from Yatish Dempo-Vice President of Dempo Juniors.