The twice running defending champions needed three points from today's match for a shot at the title -- should a technicality come to their aid. BMFC, pending the airmen's appeal to the AIFF on Central Bank of India's player ineligibility case, have already secured the title with 35 points after beating Bank of India on Thursday.

Air-India made heavy weather of almost total domination of the match against the bankmen before Henry Picardo scored the match-winner in the 58th minute after a hatful of chances had been spurned.

Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) hammered relegation-doomed Income-Tax 4-1 in an earlier match on a pitch surprisingly unhampered by last night's torrential downpour.

Air-India's points tally swells to 31 from15 matches, setting a rousing scenario against BMFC on Monday. Mahindras playing Central Railway earlier in the day will look for victory and second spot.

It was plain to see that the airmen had Monday's encounter in mind when they took the pitch, adrenalin flowing. Surely enough, the chances fell to concerted attack even before the match was 10 minutes old.

Two instances of poor defending presented Air-India with chances and wing-back Picardo, who went close with a 35-yarder that sailed just over and Godfrey Pereira, who rocked the bar, reflected urgency.

But the malaise of the last two seasons still lingers and Air-India, one feared, were in danger of paying dearly for prodigality. Khalid Jamil, on song today in mid-field, saw one of his many crosses go unrewarded and drew the first instance of striker Abbas Ali Rizvi's ineptness to finish.

Rizvi volleyed tamely and wide in the 20th minute and as UBI erred repeatedly in defence, Air-India failed to capitalise.

Veteran UBI defender Vijay Thapa'sclumsy attempted clearance went unpunished as Ratan Singh, even more shockingly, shot wide from close as the first half drew to a close. With half-time beckoning, Rizvi bounced a header over the bar from point-blank range before Air-India ended the first half on an uncomfortable note with Ajay Acharya cautioned for bringing down little UBI striker Ryan D'Souza.

Air-India and Godfrey, in no mood to compromise, set the pace with a greater sense of urgency after the interval but one began to wonder what it would take to find the net.

Another eel-like run and a cross by the stocky international came to nought as striker Anthony Fernandes failed to collect but the ball hung on obligingly for Air-India.

They failed yet again as Ratan Singh struck the bar after pouncing on goalkeeper Nadeem Ansari's ineffective clearance.

A corner came as the answer to Air-India's desperate need. Jamil's flag kick met with Godfrey's lob into the box and after Rizvi failed to execute a side volley after chesting down,Air-India enjoyed a momentary stroke of luck.

The ball fell invitingly for Picardo to slot home and release the airmen from anxiety.

Air-India, their primary objective achieved, took control, their adroit movements nibbling at UBI's shaky defence.

But the misses continued as Godfrey, exemplary as schemer was found wanting in scoring. The mid-fielder, shockingly headed waywardly when ideally placed with Fernandes' cross in the 70th minute.

More wastefulness from Rizvi with the UBI goalkeeper way out of his position and an instance of anxiety when the bank threatened through striker Francis Pereira's long-range attempt. The score, however, stood.

BRACE OF BRACES: Strikers Abhisek Yadav in the first half and Govindan Sajju shared the spoils with two apiece as RCF scored a comfortable win over Income-Tax whose only reply came through Trevor Rodrigues.