Earlier, Mahindra and Mahindra (Mumbai) overcame a spirited challenge by Punjab State Electricity Board defeating them 3-2.

The Calcutta team, without seven of its key players -- Bhaichung Bhutia, Raman Vijayan, Tushar Rakshit, Ranjan Dey, Carlton Chapman, Franky Barreto and Dipendu Biswas -- appeared relaxed. After the early brace by Sreekanta, in the fifth and the seventh minutes, there were hardly any noteworthy moves.

In the fifth minute, Sreekanta, who had placed himself well in the centre of the box, received the ball after a flag-kick from Basudeb Mondal. Since he had his back towards the goal, Army goalkeeper Mukherjee did not consider Sreekanta a serious threat. But the agile striker proved him wrong as he turned and sent the ball into the net. Two minutes later, he was there againand this time off a move by Renedy Singh and Bijen, Sreekanta lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper for his second goal.

Earlier, Mahindras had to sweat it out to down PSEB. PJ Jose netted the first goal for the winners in the 33rd minute. But their moment of joy was short-lived as PSEB immediately equalised through Sukhbir Singh in the very next minute. In the 40th minute, on a Naushad Moosa's throw in, Samshi Raza headed in for the second goal but after a series of attacks and counter-attacks, PSEB again equalised through Kuldip in the 85th minute.

Kamaljit's shot deflected off advancing goalkeeper Manoj Jaggi. An alert Kuldip utilised the gap between goalkeeper and defender Moosa and sent in the equaliser.

But Mahindras regrouped themselves for the final blow and within three minutes, Mohammad Shakil headed in the winner after getting the cross from Adeshina Sadiq.

CHIMA APOLOGISES:> Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan player Chima Okerie apologised to the spectator for slapping him. It is learnt thatafter lot of persuasion by Bagan officials, Chima came out of the dressing room, apologised.