A brilliant fightback by Knights went up in smoke when Parkanti twice let the ball slip from his gloves into goal. The errors helped formidable Kirkee Blues win 3-2 after Knights fought back to level 2-2 from being down by two goals.

Strikers overcame hosts Ammunition Factory, Kirkee, (AFK) 2-1 with Victor Tambi (20th minute) and Savio D'Souza (45th) scoring. While AFK had Nelson reduced the margin. Knights, whose fortunes will be affected by impending action against Parshuramians and Deccan `B' for violence in a match last week, will rue defeat in a crunch encounter. The result now means Knights, promoted this season from Third Division, have suffered their second loss after a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Cannon in their opener. And although their performance today received a boost with the efforts of Micheal D'Cruz, Christy Roberts, Praveen and Suhas Wilson, the failure to notch points may prove crucial.

Kirkee Blues shot ahead in the 7th minute from a sudden counter-attack. Michael Andrews booted home from close range, rocking Vishal and a transfixed defence. Kirkee Blues went ahead 2-0 seven minutes later courtesy Parkanti's first gift. Defender Praveen nodded the ball to his 'keeper but Parkanti, chosing to collect instead of punching clear, allowed the ball slip out of his hands into the net.

The blunder notwithstanding, Knights strove to come back in the second session. Raising their game a notch or two, Knights fought back through striker Michael D'Cruz in the 46th minute before restoring parity through Suhas Wilson's opportunism.

The sprightly D'Cruz outpaced three defenders, feigned splendidly before placing perfectly past Kirkee 'keeper Jasbir Sandhu.

Ten minutes later, Christy Roberts' powerful free-kick had Jasbir Sandhu floundering and the lurking Suhas Wilson was at hand to dispatch the ball home.

Knights' joy turned to despair when Parkanti blundered again following a flag-kick taken by striker Michael Andrews. Sagar Dongre's nod into Parkanti's gloves entered the goal, bewildering even the wing-back who celebrated a split-moment later while the Knights custodian sunk to the turf in despair.

Youth Club win
Youth Club, Khadakwalsa defeated SRPF 2-0 in their opening round (Senior Division) of the KP Jadhav Memorial football tournament at the St Vincent's School Ground here today.
Thursday's fixtures: NDA Cadet vs Invaders 3.30 p.m; OBA vs Shivajians 1 p.m.

PDFA Div III
Indrayani `B' will clash with NCL in the opening round of the PDFA III Division league which is scheduled to begin from October 25 at the Ghorpuri Military ground.

In all 42 teams have entered and have been divided into seven pools. Draws may be obtained from Milind Kulkarni/Dilip Bhalerao at the AFK Ground tomorrow evening.