Mahindra United fought back brilliantly from a goal down to hold Bahrain heavyweights Al Muharraq to a 1-1 draw in an absorbing Group A match of the AFC Cup football tournament in Riffa, Manama, on Wednesday.

Following the draw, Al Muharraq cemented their position at the top of the group with seven points from three games while Mahindra are placed second with three points from as many matches.

Mahindra's earlier two group matches, against Al Ahed of Lebanon and Brothers Union of Bangladesh, were drawn affairs.

The match, played late Tuesday night, was evenly poised in the first half and both sides missed chances to go ahead.

Leandson Da Silva put the Bahrain side into the lead in the 61th minute with a clean strike from inside the penalty area, off a Hassan Al Maghni pass. But Mahindra's super sub Sushant Mathew pounced on a poor clearance three minutes later (64th minute) to level the score.

Mahindra's next group match is against Al Muharraq in the return home leg on April 25.

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