Manang Marshyangdi Club suffered a third consecutive defeat for only the second time in their Martyrs Memorial A-Division League history after they lost 1-0 to Tribhuvan Army Club at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Army’s Sudil Rai scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute.

It was the first time the record-eight time champions have lost three matches in a row in the league since the 2010 edition, when they lost 2-1 against Ranipokhari Corner Team, 1-0 against Army and 2-0 against Police.

The win sent the departmental giants up to the fourth position with 15 points. Jawalakhel and Satdobato lead the standings with 17 points. Manang are in the fifth position.

Manang showed frailties in their back line in a clash of heavyweights and Army almost took the lead after just two minutes. Jagajeet Shrestha dispossessed Ashish Gurung inside the area and set up Nawayug Shrestha inside the six yard box, but the forward failed to make the most of it.

But Rai seized the opportunity from another defensive error in the 75th minute, slamming the back of the net after Manang’s defenders failed to clear a free kick.

Manang had a golden chance to equalise in the 82nd minute when Army goalie Bikesh Kuthu marched too far only to make a poor clearance but Manang’s Bijaya Shrestha and Koffi Timothee Koudo could not use their wit to hit the empty post.

NRT see off Khumaltar

Earlier, New Road Team (NRT) defeated Khumaltar Youth Club 3-1 at the Dasharath Stadium to move out of the relegation zone.

Saroj Tamang, Sanjeeb Bista and Mohit Gurung hit the target for NRT while Shyamu Murmu scored the consolation goal for Khumaltar.

Tamang, whose curling free kick had rattled the crossbar early in the first half, put NRT ahead in the 65th minute. Tamang, who was left unchecked, raced into the box and sent in a cross from Susaan Shrestha with a diving header.

Bista doubled the lead in the 82nd minute, thanks to another error from Khumaltar defenders. Bista pounced on a weak clearance by Roshan Dong and slotted past goalkeeper Dev Limbu for a simple finish, after Kritish Ratna Chhunju had set him through.

Second-half substitute Gurung twisted the knife in Khumaltar’s wounds three minutes later when Chhunju picked him inside the box and Gurung slammed the back of the net with a one-touch finish.

Khumaltar’s Murumu found the net four minutes after coming in as a second-half substitute after Jaya Gurung set up him.

NRT moved three places up to the 10th position with 10 points. Khumaltar dropped to the 11th spot.