East Bengal with 11 points have moved to the top position while Mahindras are at the bottom with three points.

Trouble started when referee Sow (Madhya Pradesh) overlooked a foul committed by East Bengal defender Jackson Agyapong on Mahindras medio Bernard Operanozie. Even as the Mahindras player's were appealing for a foul, East Bengal skipper Bhaichung Bhutia latched on to a pass and sent a through to Dipendu Biswas, who sealed the fate for the local team with the second goal.

Thereafter, both teams indulged in rough play with Sow failing to control the game and tempers. Mahindras defender Rajesh Pandey twice got involved in a scuffle with Bhutia. But the East Bengal star kept his cool.

Bhutia, scoring his third goal of the NFL, put his team in the lead in the 16th minute. He found the target by deflecting RanjanDey's powerful header off a Falguni Dutta's flag-kick. Dey overcame the resistance from Mahindras defenders and headed the ball in the goal-mouth where Bhutia tapped in.

Mahindras, who performed below par on Sunday against FC Kochin, were a much improved side today. They could have equalised in the 24th minute, when medio Andrew Louis sent in a cross to see Bernard, whose thundering volley went inches away over the bar.

Five minutes later, right-back Lakshman Bisht' low cross found Satish Minz effecting a weak left-footer over the bar.

Mahindras' star striker Manjeet Singh, despite nursing an injury, was back after missing the last match against FC Kochin. But he was tightly marked by East Bengal defenders in the first-half. The gutsy Manjit almost drew the parity when he connected a Louis' cross late in the second-half.

Mahindras 'keeper Mark Mascarenhas -- he conceded two silly goals against Indian Bank (Chennai) -- regained his confidence under the bar and came with two brilliantsaves.

Mahindras charged back by substituting Loloo Nwike with medio Satish Minz in the second-half. Mahindras coach Syed Shahid Hakkim brought in fresh pair of legs in he form of Rajesh Pandey and Sanjay Rawal, but they also failed to produce the desired results.

Coach Hakim was disappointed with Sow's refereeing. He told mediamen: ``It is height of bad refereeing. I don't mind losing, but in a fair game and in a fair way.''

He was lauded Manjit who played the full game despite an 12 stitches on his face.

Swapan Ball, manager of East Bengal, was cryptic about the refereeing. ``We played as we didn't want to spoil the spirit of the game...The refereeing standard is the same all over the country.''