After the breather, the Sikkim lads went all out for the equaliser. Their relentless forays paid dividends in the 62nd minute. Diminutive and speedy striker, Mayal Lepcha switching flanks sent in a measured floater from the left flank to an unmarked Nima Thendup inside the box. Thendup had only to tap the ball home beating an outstretched Mumbai team keeper, Mohammed Yousuf Ansari to bring parity.

But Air-India woke up to the challenge and two substitution helped them to the winning goal. Replacement Dennis George set up the othernewcomer, striker Nitin Shetty, with a beautiful through pass at the top of the sikkim defence. Shetty's snap shot caught the Sikkim custodian Tshreing Gyatso offgaurd (2-1).

Meanwhile, the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) has threatened to sue Calcutta club Mohun Bagan for damages suffered because of the outfit's last minute pullout from the tournament.

Punjab Police held

NEW DELHI: Punjab Police, who lost their opening game against Delhi Blues on the inaugural day, were held 2-2 by Indian Telephone Industries (Bangalore) in a Pool A quarter-final league match of the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee football tournament for the CM's Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium here today.

In the other match, Mahindras were awarded full points after their Pool B opponents SAI (South East) walked out after 55 minutes of play. SAI, who were leading 1-0 till then, refused to play in protest against a penalty awarded in favour of the Mumbai team. The technical-cum-disciplinary committee, after considering the referee'sreport, decided to award the match to Mahindras.