Alan Costa's late header hands Bengaluru FC 2-1 win over NEUFC

Alan Costa scored a late header as Bengaluru FC defeated Northeast United FC 2-1 in an Indian Super League match here on Friday.

Brazilian defender Costa was the hero for Bengaluru once again, scoring in identical fashion with a header to seal all three points for his side.

The match had a tight first half with both the teams creating just one clear-cut chance each.

Wilmar Jordan had the best chance for NorthEast United in the ninth minute. He was clean through on goal and went for a low curled finish, but Bengaluru goalie Gurpreet Sandhu got down quickly to deny him.

Sunil Chhetri was on the bench for Bengaluru, with Roy Krishna leading the forwardline alongside Sivasakthi Narayanan.

Krishna couldn't get involved in the game for most of the first half because of NorthEast United's stubborn defence. He only had 18 touches in the first 45 minutes.

Bengaluru were rewarded in the 50th minute. Parag Srivas set up Sivasakthi on the left flank after driving forward, and he expertly poked the ball over Mirshad into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box to give his side the lead.

NorthEast United opened their account from a free-kick converted by Romain Philippoteaux in the 66th minute.

Chhetri, who came on as a substitute, came very close to scoring a diving header in the 82nd minute after Udanta Singh played a delightful cross from the right wing but Mirshad made a crucial close-range save.

Bengaluru FC kept knocking on the door and found the winner four minutes into stoppage time.

NorthEast United remain in last place and will host FC Goa at the Indira Gandhi National Stadium here on January 15, while Bengaluru FC will host Odisha FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on January 14. PTI SSC BS SSC SSC BS BS