Injury-hit Churchill Bros forced to settle for a point

Injuries to three of their players would hurt Churchill Brothers FC more than the two points they dropped after a 1-1 draw against second-placed TRAU at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Kalyani on Friday.
In a game where Churchill were calling the shots in the opening half, Clayvin Zuniga's 18th-minute header was cancelled out by Bidyashagar Singh in the 23rd minute for TRAU.But what followed next crippled the favourites.
First, Zuniga, leading goal scorer in the I-League, hobbled off with a knee injury at the half an hour mark. Five minutes later, goalkeeper Shibinraj could not continue after clashing with a rival player. And if that wasn't enough, Richard Costa was substituted after clutching his hamstring, all in the first half.
The three injuries slowed down Churchill and they never looked like the team that won three of their last four matches, rather convincingly, or one that is perched at the top of the table.
Churchill started with an attacking intent.
In the second minute itself they had a good look at the goal when Zuniga was found in the box by a Luka Majcen cross from the left. He tried to head the ball home, missed, and unfortunately for Churchill, even Clencio Pinto failed to keep the subsequent attempt on target.
Churchill were rewarded in the 18th minute for their attacks. Pinto's corner-kick was inch-perfect and Zuniga out jumped his marker and the tallest defender - Helder Ribeiro - for the opening goal.
TRAU fought their way back in the 23rd minute. Komron Tursunov's cross from the right created panic inside the box where goalkeeper Shibinraj charged out. He could only clash with Seiminmang Manchong, allowing Bidyashagar easy access to goal from the left.
TRAU came close after the change of ends. Nigerian striker Joseph Mayowa rattled the post, while Tursunov's effort brought the best out of substitute goalkeeper Shilton Paul, as the teams settled for a point.