A first-half strike by Ranty Martins guided Federation Cup winners Dempo to their second successive victory in the National Football League on Wednesday. The Goa [Images] side got the better of State Bank of Travancore [Get Quote] by a solitary goal at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa.

Ranty, who gave the State Bank defence several anxious moments, scored in the sixth minute when he guided the ball into the net with a header following Clifford Miranda's cross from the left.

Dempo, who controlled the midfield for a major part of the match, could have easily won by a bigger margin had their strikers converted the chances that came their way.

Nigerian recruit Ranty had four chances to score but was unlucky twice as his shots hit the post. SBT's  'keeper Harshal Rehman also effected two good saves to deny him from increasing the lead.

SBT made two changes, bringing in Asif Shaheer and Mohamed Haris. Both created an impression on the Dempo goal but their shots were saved by 'keeper Satish Kumar.

Dempo, with two wins from two matches, are at the top of the league table with six points.

SBT, who have a defeat  and victory to their name, have three points.