Down by an early goal from Shankar Oraon, Mumbai FC rallied brilliantly in the second half to force a 1-1 draw with Chirag United in a ninth round match of the ONGC [Get Quote] I-League in Kolkata on Friday.

Riston Rodrigues's goal enabled the Mumbai side take a vital point from the match.

Striker Oraon, who missed two sitters which perhaps cost the Kolkata side victory, struck after snatching a dropped ball from Kalyan Choubey in the 12th minute to give Chirag United the lead.

Choubey, who made two brilliant saves, including one of Muritala Ali's firepower at the fag end, failed to hold a Dharmarajan 20-yard shot, allowing Oraon an opportunity to score his second goal of the championship.

Oraon had scored his first against East Bengal in the opener.

Five minutes later, the visitors were unlucky not to find the equaliser as Abel Hammond's header was returned by left back Luise Ebami from goalline after 'keeper Gopal Das fumbled in a melee.

The Mumbai outfit though held ascendancy in ball possession, but were done in by poor finishing and defensive errors.

After three wins in a row, newcomers Mumbai FC had not tasted victory in last six matches, which included two losses to Sporting Clube de Goa [Images] and Air India.

Rodrigues's equaliser in the 60th minute brought cheer among their benchmen and coach David Booth, who was tensed for nearly fifty minutes.

His salvo from some 22 yards went into the goal after a deflection by Bidemi Daniel head. Gopal Das, who almost stood like a spectator, was helpless.

Mumbai FC are now placed sixth with 13 points while Chirag have nine points, and are just above the bottomed-placed Vasco, who have two points.