NorthEast United missed a glorious opportunity to stop their losing streak with a win but once again, conceded a goal in the final minute of normal time as Atletico de Kolkata earned a point through a 1-1 draw and consolidated their fourth spot in the table at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.

Nicolas Velez opened the scoring with an opportunistic strike, capitalising on a defensive lapse by Kolkata to round the keeper and score just four minutes into the game.

After failing to break the United defence down throughout the game, salvation came for Kolkata in the final minute of normal time. Javi Lara curled in a deadly free-kick and Helder Postiga and Hume combined well for the latter to net the equaliser.

Predictably, Kolkata hogged the ball but they created very little with it as the United defence was staunch and allowed very little space of Hume and co. to run into.

At one stage, Kolkata were reduced to taking shots from distance but Subrata Paul this time showed safe hands; he was culpable of making far too many errors in recent games.

Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Emiliano Alfaro was instrumental in inducing the Kolkata defenders to make a mistake as Henrique Sereno’s hurried square pass to Arnab Mondal was intercepted by Velez and tucked into the net.

The closest Kolkata came to scoring was from a corner at the hour mark but Robin Gurung came up with a wonderful goal-line clearance to keep his team’s lead intact. With eight minutes left, Alfaro missed from point-blank range but the linesman had his flag raised for offside.

However, it was Hume, who once again rescued his side by cleverly slipping his way to the back post and pouncing on the loose ball. United paid for sitting back on their one-goal lead.

Brief score:

Atletico de Kolkata 1 (Iain Hume) draw with NorthEast United 1 (Nicolas Velez)