Bengaluru FC squandered two vital points conceding against Mumbai FC in the last minute of added time from a scrappy Climax Lawrence goal to give the hosts a 2-2 draw at the Balewadi Stadium on Saturday. The shared spoils meant the Blues lost the chance to stay abreast with leaders Salgaocar on points.

Bengaluru FC were without big centre back Curtis Osano who missed the game with a niggle. NS Manju was handed a start as was ’keeper Bruno Colaco who replaced Pawan Kumar.

The not-so-pretty game got off to an electric start when striker Sean Rooney’s opener in the 8th minute was evened by Hashmatullah Jan just two minutes later. A Lawrence freekick in the second minute that ricocheted off the bar later, Bengaluru FC shot into the lead when Rooney was picked out by a Beikhokhei Beingaichho cross which the Australian calmly tapped home.

Mumbai FC didn’t have to wait long to celebrate when club debutant Hashmatullah Jan’s shot took a deflection off Manju before rolling into the net. Midfielder Siam Hanghal was guilty of attempting to dribble excessively, having the ball stolen off him in the process – a move that lead to the goal.

Bengaluru were handed an advantage they failed to capitalise on in the 36th minute when Mumbai FC defender Ashutosh Mehta saw red for bringing down last man Hanghal. Rooney’s thundering freekick was punched away by ’keeper Nidhin Lal a minute later.

Bengaluru snatched the lead for a second time in the 57th minute when Sunil Chhetri’s header caught substitute Jayesh Rane’s hand in the box. The skipper stepped up and tucked home the penalty. The visitors had numerous chances after that lead to put the game to bed. Hanghal shot poorly from in the box, Robin Singh headed a Thoi Singh cross over and Thoi was guilty of the next miss, shooting wide from a fantastic counter on the right when he had Robin to pass to.

The misses came back to haunt Bengaluru in the final minute of added time when Lawrence managed to bundle in from a corner to earn Mumbai FC a point after three consecutive losses.

Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood said he was disappointed to concede from a set piece again. “It’s disappointing to concede like that. Missing the many chances didn’t help too. However, it’s important that we regroup as soon as we can for the next game against Pune FC.”

Bengaluru FC are second on the table with 14 points from 7 games while Pune FC, who were beaten 2-0 by Sporting Clube de Goa, drop to third with 13 points from six games.