Mahindra United missed out on a chance to move clear at the top of the I-League today after sharing a 1-1 draw with East Bengal at Salt Lake Stadium in Calcutta.

Following a poor first half, East Bengal broke the deadlock as Mehtab Hossain's long-range strike went in off the post five minutes after the hour mark.

But nine minutes later Mohammad Rafi continued his fine run in this season's I-League heading home Sushil Singh's cross.

Yusif Yakubu and Sanju Pradhan wasted chances for seventh-placed East Bengal in the closing stages although the home side were able to bring to an end a three-game losing streak after suffering defeat by Pune and Shillong Lajong before losing to Syria's Al Ittihad in the AFC Cup last week.

Mahindra, meanwhile, joined Dempo Sports Club at the top of the table, three points clear of defending champions Churchill Brothers.