Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) missed the chance to go fourth after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Shree Kumari Club in the Martyrs Memorial 'B' Division League football tournament at the ANFA Complex, Satdobato, on Thursday.

Jamal-based RCT took an early third minute lead from Ajit Gurung when he headed Bikesh Subba's cross from after the ball bounced at the area. But Shree Kumari cancelled RCT lead in the 22nd minute through Yuwaraj Rai from the close range who converted Arjun Gurung's short pass.

RCT played with a man down in the second half when defender Sunil Raut Kurmi was shown second yellow in the 68th.

RCT coach Sulav Jung Rana said that his side came under pressure after Raut Kurmi was sent off in the second half. "We could have added more goals after getting into the score sheet early. But the forwards failed to capitalise on the opportunities," said Rana.

Shree Kumari coach Sandesh Kumar Shrestha said conceding early in the match came as a huge blow to their plan despite controlling the ball possession. "We put the opponents under pressure before the break but failed to take advantage of our numerical superiority in the second half," said Shrestha.

With the outcome, RCT remain unchanged in the fourth position with 13 points. They have four draws, three wins and two defeats. Shree Kumari are eighth with eight points. They have two wins and draws each besides five defeats.

Shree Bhagawati went ahead in the 11th minute after they were gifted an own goal by Jhamsikhel defender Sunil Shahi in his bid to clear Mohan Bahadur Thapa Magar's corner.

Madan Syangtan hit back equaliser for Jhamsikhel in the 32nd minute with an easy tapping. Syangtan applied the finishing touch to Inam Tamang's quick strike from the left flank after the ball rebounded from custodian Sudip Giri.

Nawaraj Gurung made it 2-1 for Shree Bhagawati in the 57th with a finishing touch from close range to convert a cross. Anish Chaudhary again restored parity for Jhamsikhel in the 70th after he collected a scorcher blocked by goalie Giri in the area and shot at the post.

But Shree Bhagawati made sure that they walked away with full three points. Thapa Magar netted the decisive goal in the 84th minute when he unleashed a powerful strike from near the penalty spot set by Yubraj Dhakal.

With the second victory in the league, Shree Bhagawati collected nine points and leapfrogged three places up to seventh. They are level on points with Tushal Youth Club after playing their ninth match. Jhamsikhel are second from bottom in the 12-team contest with six points. The team finishing at the bottom of standings after completion of league will be relegated to third division.

Shree Bhagawati coach Sailesh Karmacharya expressed dissatisfaction despite the victory. "The forwards could not play to their potential and we missed a host of scoring chances. Though we won the game I would say we were lucky today," said Karmacharya.

Jhamsikhel assistant coach Krishna Kumar Thapa pointed out the lack of fitness and understanding in his squad. "The players were running without any ideas and they lacked coordination. It cost us the match," said Thapa.