Three-time champions East Bengal saved themselves the blushes with an injury time goal to hold Air India 1-1 in a tenth National Football League match in Kolkata on Saturday.

Down by a goal in the 73rd minute, the Kolkata giants fought back to draw parity through their Brazilian recruit Edmilson Marques and take their points tally to 16 from ten games.

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Earlier, Samson Singh drew first blood for the airmen in the Salt Lake stadium floodlit encounter.

A deep, long throw from Uttam Singh reached Samson, who headed home from inside the box, foxing the East Bengal defenders.

The red and yellow brigade upped the ante in a desperate bid for the equaliser as time wore on. They finally succeeded in the fourth and last minute of injury time when Snehasish Chakraborty's measured flag kick was nodded into the net by Edmilson.

East Bengal started off well and dominated the initial minutes but their attack lacked steam as the match progressed.

Air India, who now have 13 points from ten outings, played defensive in the beginning but put up an improve display after the breather.