Churchill Brothers stayed in the hunt for the National Football League title after scoring a hard-fought 2-1 victory over former champions Salgaocar in a 15^th round match in Margao, Goa, on Friday.

Churchill started aggressively and had the initial edge over their opponents. They forged ahead in the first minute when Yusif Yakubu netted the ball after receiving a pass from Rajesh Meetei from the left.

The goal took the league's leading scorer Yakubu's tally to 12 goals.

Salgaocar, however, restored parity in the 17th minute when Prashant Jaggi's free-kick deflected off the rival cordon wall and eluded Churchill goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas.

Churchill regained the lead a minute from the breather when Noel Wilson, from the half line, essayed a long shot that beat 'keeper Dastidar. That goal ultimately turned out to be the match-winner.

The victory took Churchill to the second place with 28 points from 15 matches, two points behind leaders East Bengal, who have 30 points from 14 matches.

Salgaocar are in eighth place with 18 points from 15 matches.