A goal form substitute Bijay Bhujel in the fading moments inflicted Sankata Club their first defeat of the season as they succumbed to a 1-0 loss against Three Star while the unbeaten Tribhuvan Army FC added to the woes of bottom-placed Friends Club with a 3-1 victory to climb to third in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League in Tripureshwar on Saturday.

Bhujel, who came as a 90th minute replacement of forward Sanjok Rai, netted the all-important goal in the last minute of the seven-minute injury time for the Patan-based side in an entertaining match at the Dasharath Stadium.

In the early kick-off, goals from winger Jagjeet Shrestha, Dinesh Henjan and Suman Aryal gave Army their second straight victory and fourth overall while Friends' quest for a first victory continued as they succumbed to sixth defeat after nine matches. Trinidadian forward Jamoul Anthony Francois hit back the consolation goal for relegation-threatened Friends.

The third victory in a row lifted the three-time champions Three Star one spot up to fourth with 16 points while Sankata dropped two spots below to fifth with 14 points. Army have 17 points, three points behind leaders Machhindra and two adrift of second-placed Manang Marshyangdi Club.

Three Star forward Rai ended up shooting inches wide from the area as early as in the second minute. Sankata responded through Guinean forward Fode Fofana but the forward's strike in Roman Limbu's pass landed straight at goalie Priso Njanga's hand.

Cameroonian goalie Njanga rescued Three Star midway in the first half as he reacted quickly to make a diving save to fend off Nigerian forward Flory Odeh's close range strike.

Three Star came closer to scoring in the first half stoppage time as Sanjok Rai's volley from the six yard box sailed above the bar.

Both sides failed to create remarkable chances in the second half to add to the goal by Bhujel. Sankata goalie Raja Babu Thapa was at fault as he failed to clear Nishan Khadka's long-range strike. The ball found Three Star's Raphael Rim inside the area and the Cameroonian defender laid it for Bhujel to tap at the net.

Sankata coach Bishnu Gurung lamented his team’s failure to resist late pressure from Three Star. "Both sides played a good game. But they [Three Star] played an offensive game in the latter stage and we failed to resist their attacks," said Gurung.

Three Star coach Urjan Shrestha said they came into the match with three points’ ambition and were happy for the victory.

Earlier, the departmental team came with an offensive approach and drew the first blood in the 10th minute. Winger Shrestha's curling strike from the left entered through the far post, leaving Friends' Indian goalie Rahul Ramchandra Yadav clueless.

Friends threatened the Army box after the half-hour mark, with custodian Bikesh Kuthu denying defender Ronell Anthony Paul twice. Kuthu parried Paul’s header from the six yard box, only for the ball to find the defender again, whose second effort was saved by the goalie.

Army doubled their advantage in the 45th as Henjan applied a one-touch finish from the area to convert a header pass from George Prince Karki.

Friends cut the deficit two minutes into restart in a counter-attack as captain Preezen Tamang robbed defender Youdha Shahi's backpass to goalie Kuthu and set up Francois who finished with a low strike at the unguarded net.

But Army restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute when defender Suman Aryal converted Shrestha’s corner with a free header.

Army coach Nabin Neupane said that the victory was vital in their ambition of finishing the league with 29 points. "Though we got a timely score, the boys took the game lightly and we came under pressure. We could have won with a better goal margin had the boys maintained their pace," said Neupane.

His Friends counterpart Mrigendra Mishra said it was misfortunate not to win a single match until after nine rounds. "But we still have hopes of avoiding relegation.It also depends upon how other teams perform. We play against Brigade Boys Club in the next match and if we lose against them as well, we will not survive in the top division."