East Bengal, before their I-League match in Goa next week, managed a hard-earned 3-2 victory against Salgaocar SC at the Salt Lake stadium here today. However, the story might have been different had custodian Subrata Paul not come up with some excellent saves.

Brazilian Edmilson Marques Pardal struck twice with Asim Biswas completing the tally for the giants, while Biju Kumar and S Malswmtlunga scored for the Goans.

Edmilson drew first blood in the 19th minute. Rahim Nabi’s superb floater from the right swung towards a melee in front of the goal, and with the Goan defence late in reacting, Edmilson jumped up to head home.

Salgaocar equalised in the 50th minute with a header from Biju Kumar. But another header from Biswas, in the 59th minute, got the hosts ahead again.

A faulty right footer from Edmilson, following a Mehtab Hussain through, was punched off by the Salgaocar goalkeeper. But it got deflected off a defender and Biswas headed home.

Edmilson struck again to make it 3-1 in the 67th minute, converting a penalty kick after being tripped by Biju inside the box.

But the Goan outfit bounced back and reduced the margin through Malswmtlunga in the 76th minute. The speedy midfielder, receiving a Felix Chimaoqwe long through on the right flank, moved up the six-yard box and placed it past an advancing Paul.