Tim Hankinson's men took the lead as early as the 7th minute through debutant Eneke. But Brazilian playmaker Roberto Mendes Silva leveled the score in the 48th minute which saw both teams splitting points at the end of the match. Salagaocar started the match well and put the Dempo backline under pressure. It immediately paid off when former India striker Manjit Singh's corner from the right was headed in by Eneke after the Dempo defence left the Nigerian alone in the box. The men in green kept on pressurising the Dempo defence but the scoreline remained the same at half-time. The second half was completely different from the first one as Dempo totally dominated it. It didn't take too much time for Dempo to equalise, when a blunder by former Mumbai FC keeper Kalyan Chaubey helped their cause. A Nicolau Borgues cross targeting Roberto Mendes Silva was fumbled by Chaubey and it was easily tapped in by the Brazilan. It was a gift for the midfielder, which he just couldn't refuse. Salgaocar Sports Club led 1-0 at the breather. Salgaocar did not allow the Dempo players to settle and started goal-bound moves from the word go. After the sudden shock of an early goal, the Dempo forwards raided the Salgaocar area but could not find the target. During the 45th minute, Salgaocar had a fine opportunity to increase the lead as a corner-kick taken by Manjeet Singh was headed out by Rocus Lamare. A through pass by Rocus Lamare to unmarked Manjeet Singh who delayed to take a shot, as agile Anwar, the defender of Dempo rushed in to make the issue safe by clearing the ball to safety. Induction of substitute, Lestor Fernandes mid-way in the second half, saw the left half activated and moved at the fast pace for Salgaocar. Salgaocar forwards, who worked in tandem, brought scare in the Dempo defence. In a well-coordinated move in the 81st minute, initiated by Beevan D’Mello, Lestor Fernandes, Manjeet Singh and again Lestor, who shot towards Dempo goal, which Dempo keeper Abhijit Mondal deflected towards Manjeet Singh ,who sent in a power-packed try in the open goal but, defender Samir Naik of Dempo effected a superlative goalline save, clearing the ball towards the midfield. During the last minute, a Beevan D’Mello pass was just missed to be toed in the open goal by Ekene Ikenwa of Salgaocar. Referee Dinesh Nair flashed caution card to Luciano Sobrosa of Salgaocar for dangerous tackle. Tim Hankinson remarked “good job” as he clenched his fist and pumped it in the air. The Salgaocar Sports Club coach had enough reasons to be happy after an enthralling 1-1 draw against Dempo Sports Club, but had Kalyan Chaubey not committed an uncharacteristic blunder, Hankinson’s joy would have known no bounds at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.