MUMBAI, November 17: A moment of magic by Tata Football Academy's (TFA) Dipankar Roy foiled JCT's bid for a second successive win in the Bristol Rovers Cup quarter-final league Group Y football match at the Cooperage, here tonight.

Roy, unchallenged after grabbing JCT's Seriki's intended back-pass, left goalkeeper Arvind Kumar dumfounded with a 35-yarder that swerved and dipped high into goal in the 78th minute to neutralise Hardip Singh's strike in the 67th minute.

The 1-1 draw satisfied TFA coach Mohammad Habib who revealed planning a cautious approach while taking on the National League champions in a tough quarter-final campaign. Habib's youngsters from Jamshedpur will now take on the might of East Bengal and Salgaocar, the other sides in the group.

``One point is what we wanted today to gain confidence in the company of seasoned NFL sides,'' Habib said. ``I am therefore happy with the performance of my boys tonight.'' JCT coach Sukwinder Singh was gracious in praise for his opponents but acknowledged a fine display by his team playing on successive days after beating Salgaocar last night.

The resourceful coach, however, did not favourably view his team's long lay-off of five days before meeting Calcutta's East Bengal. He said:`` There are no proper practice grounds here in Mumbai and I think the long break will not be good for us.''

JCT are reeling from a loss of eight top players that helped them win the inaugural National Football League last season. The current side looks very dependent on Africans Seriki, Emaka and Musa despite a hardworking mid-field and an efficient goalkeeper Arvind Kumar who proved his worth again tonight.To make matters worse for the Phagwara outfit, Jasbir Singh left the field with an injury. TFA goalkeeper Nasim Akhtar's sliding tackle deprived JCT of a striker, when they were shaping well, already having threatened twice inside 10 minutes of play.

``That was the turning point,'' Sukwinder said. ``We were just beginning to take command when Jasbir met with an injury.''

TFA, with the crowd behind them, took their time to settle in but dazzled after Sheikh Sanjib and James Singh got into now familiar rhythm. Curiously, Habib played the 1-5-4 formation that vindicates faith in modern soccer's focus on conquering the mid-field.

JCT were scarcely in the picture in the first half. TFA's energy and verve saw Kaustav Ghosh and Dipankar Roy swarming in and around the rival area joining Sanjib and James as Musa, Manjinder and custodian Arvind stood out in the JCT defence.

JCT improved in attack after the interval but TFA goalkeeper Akhtar proved equal to the danger posed by Seriki, Emaka and the tireless Hardip.With TFA's defence manned by the gutsy Mahesh Gawali, the hard-running Ram Rai and Prabhjot Singh, JCT's Nigerians Emeka and Seriki weren't given the space to revel.

But the occasional cracks appeared in TFA's defence as the battle wore on and the Punjab side struck.

Tarsem crossed from the left into the area and Emeka flicked a header to Hardip's feet. The mid-fielder took his time before firing in an angular shot to the far right of Akhtar's goal.

Nitin Pradhan expectedly made a late appearance. The mid-fielder replaced Kaustav Ghosh, who had commendably carried out duties as right-wing-half. It sustained TFA's breathtaking pace but despite the substitute's hard running it looked most likely to be JCT's night.

Roy appeared not to take the script lying down and the left-wing-half produced a goal out of nothing to the deafening roar of a 5000-strong crowd firmly behind the Academy.

JCT strangely did not make any substitution, even as their mainstays tired and Sukhwinder admitted his mistake in not bringing off a tired Seriki.Hardip came close to clinching it for JCT in the dying moments but Akhtar in goal was not found wanting, collecting calmly.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.