A stoppage time equaliser from Mumbai FC’s Nicholas Rodrigues denied United SC a winning start under new technical director Subrata Bhattacharya as the Airtel I-League Round 17 encounter finished 1-1 at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The Kolkata club took the lead through Liberian Eric Brown just before the interval and held on to their slender advantage until the first minute of second half added time when Rodrigues restored parity to earn Mumbai a vital away point.

United SC enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages with Brown looking dangerous but the former ONGC man was lacking support. The first real chance fell to Shouvik Chakraborty after some fine work by Brown but the young midfielder put his header wide.

Mumbai FC hardly provided a threat going forward but Anwar Ali had a half chance when Sangram Mukherjee failed to collect a corner delivery cleanly but the defender blasted his effort off target.

Midway through the first period United SC created their best opening as Asif Kottayil played Shouvik through on goal but the young medio once again couldn’t test Mumbai custodian Kunal Sawant.

There were very few chances for the rest of the half but United SC were the only side that looked like scoring and the deadlock was broken by the best player on the pitch, Brown. United SC debutant Adekunle Waheed played a lovely through pass for Brown, who found the back of the net with a fine finish.

The introduction of Ebi Sukore at the interval improved Mumbai’s performance as they played with much more intensity but the visitors only went close from set-pieces with Sukore and Mohammed Rafi wasting golden opportunities from corners.

At the other end United SC didn’t create too many clear cut chances with their final ball lacking quality and technical director Bhattacharya made defensive changes in a bid to protect the lead.

Sangram had been struggling to deal with crosses and set-piece deliveries but the veteran goalkeeper made a couple of brilliant saves from Rafi and Sukore as United SC edged towards a narrow win.

But Mumbai’s Yusif Yakubu was brought down just outside the United SC box in stoppage time and Rodrigues scored from the resulting freekick to take Mumbai five points clear of rock-bottom Rangdajied United.

United SC remain winless in seven Airtel I-League games with 19 points from 16 outings.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)