Man of the match Felix Ibrebru's second half strike enabled Salgaocar down Mohun Bagan by a solitary goal in a ninth National Football League match at the Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa, on Friday.
Both teams played an attacking game but failed to come up with constructive moves in the first half.
Bagan had the first chance to score but defender Dulal Biswas, who had advanced, essayed a fierce shot, which keeper Juje Sidi collected well.
Salgaocar, who had more possession, had two scoring chances in the first half. The best was in the 36th minute but an unmarked Ibrebru failed to guide his header on target following a cross by Francis Andrade from the left.
However, Ibrebru made amends for his first half lapse when he chipped the ball to the far corner of the goal seeing 'keeper Bibash Ghosh out of position, following off a defence splitting pass by Rocus Lamare in the 74th minute.
Bagan, who made four changes to the team that played their last match, which they lost to Fransa, failed to show urgency in attack. It was only in the closing stages when they conceded the goal that they woke up and made desperate attempts to find the equalizer.
The victory took Salgaocar's tally to 15 points from 13 matches and placed them seventh while Bagan are a rund behind.
More from rediff