Substitute Ngubo Siyanda earned a point for Forca Kochi against Calicut FC in a Super League Kerala match at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Wednesday.
The diminutive South African striker scored in the 76th minute to cancel out local favourite Gani Nigam's 41st minute opener for Calicut. The result has left Calicut unbeaten in the league as they remain on top of the six-team table with five points from three outings.
Forca Kochi, meanwhile, still search for their first win, but have managed to secure back to back draws and sit on two points from three matches.
Just when Calicut seemed to be walking away with another three points, Siyanda positioned himself behind the lanky defender Abdul Hakku to head home a cross from fellow substitute Kamalpreet Singh.
Earlier, Gani's opener had come against the run of play. After receiving the ball from his captain, Jijo Joseph, the versatile midfielder took a touch to get it under control before swinging it goal-ward. The effort took a deflection from an attempted block and sailed into the top corner out of Hajmal's reach.
Gani also made a telling contribution at the other end, preventing Nijo Gilbert from taking a shot inside the box after a darting run.