Goals from Darko Nikac, Luciano Sabrosa and Thongkhogsiem Haokip consigned Bengaluru FC to a 1-3 defeat against Pune FC at the Kanteerava Stadium, on Saturday. Trailing 0-2 at half-time, Bengaluru put on a stronger second half show but it wasn’t to be a night of comebacks.

Ashley Westwood announced a line-up that had Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh on the bench as Joshua Walker passed a late fitness test to make a surprise start.

The Blues suffered their first set back in as early as the 9th minute when, after picking a through ball from Arata Izumi, new signing Darko Nikac calmly put it past Lalthuammawia Ralte.

Pune doubled their lead when, in the 25th minute, new signing Edgar Marcelino swung in a free-kick which Luciano Sabrosa nodded home under pressure.

In need of stability up front, Westwood chose to send on Chhetri to add to the Blues’ attack, pulling off Keegan Pereira. The skipper made an instant impact with a diving header off a Rino Anto cross bringing the save from Pune FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh. With only minutes to the half, Chhetri was set through for a one-on-one with Amrinder but the ’keeper only just beat the striker to the ball.

The home side contained Pune for the remainder of the second half while launching attacks down both flanks, but both sides went into the tunnel with the score at 0-2.

Substituting Beikhokhei Beingaichho for Singh, Bengaluru started the second half with renewed vigour. Chhetri and Lalchhuanmawia linked up well down the left flank but the Blues lacked the sting in that final shot.

Pune furthered their advantage in the 82nd minute when Thongkhosiem Haokip connected well with Raju Yumnam’s cross for the ball to bounce beyond the goal-line after rattling the crossbar.

With minutes to go in regulation time, Bengaluru pressed hard and eventually took the lead when Rooney held off his marker to lay it off for Eugeneson Lyngdoh who sent a half-volley past Singh. But it was too little too late for the Blues.