Gouranga Dutta scored in the second-half as the United SC defeated Mohammadan Sporting 1-0 in the ONGC [Get Quote] I-League at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan at Salt Lake on Saturday.

As Mohammadan Sporting made a mess of their chances, the first-half of the match remained goalless.

It was a combined effort by Snehashish Chakraborty, Subair Muritala Ali and Man-of-the-Match Gouranga Dutta that earned the side only goal of the match.

Muritala headed off to Gouranga to score the match-winner.

Mohammadan Sporting might have thrashed United SC on both occasions in the Calcutta Football League recently, but the latter dished out a much improved performance as Shabbir Ali's boys paled in comparison.

In fact, United goalkeeper Gopal Das should also be given credit for his fine saves towards the end when a sagging Mohammadan Sporting tried to score the equaliser.

Their striking duo of Mike Okoro and Theodore Sunday did everything to go past Gopal's defence, but both luck and pluck were not on their side.

Having positioned himself brilliantly, Mohammadan skipper Okoro put up a brilliant effort in 75th minute, only to see his plan thwarted by an alert Gopal.

From the rebound, Sunday launched another strike, but his effort fell short as the shot went wayward.

Mohammedan Sporting missed yet another chance when in the 85th minute, Adewusi Adebayo just managed to hit the goalpost, capitalising on an Okoro header.

The win lifted United SC from the relegation zone as they now have eight points, two more than Mohammedan Sporting who dropped to 11th place.