East Bengal scored a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sporting Clube De Goa [Images] in a 11th round match of the National Football League, at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday.

After a barren first-half, which saw both teams miss chances, East Bengal took the lead in 55th minute when Climax Lawrence guided the ball home from close after Bhutia provided the ball to him.

Sporting then equalized through their star striker Dudu Omagbemi in the 61st minute through a penalty.

The goal took Omagbemi's individual goal tally to seven, the same as Baichung Bhutia and Climax Lawrence.

Dempo's Ranty Martins is the leading scorers with eight goals.

The penalty was awarded by referee Rizwan-ul-Haq after Earnest Jeremiah bought down by Adewusi Adebayo, who had advanced with the ball into the box.

Bhutia, who missed at least four chances, was instrumental in the second goal also when he provided the ball to Jeremiah, who slotted the it home following a flag-kick taken by Alvito D'Cunha from the left.

East Bengal, who finished the first phase of their league engagements, lead the table with 24 points from 11 matches, four ahead of second-placed Dempo.

Sporting Clube, who are placed sixth, have 13 points from seven matches.