Three Star Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) played a thrilling 1-1 draw in the Red Bull National League here at Anfa Complex on Friday.

The result made no change in the standings as Three Star remained in second with 15 points from eight matches, while MMC are unchanged at fifth having accumulated 13 points playing equal number of games. Jhapa lead the standings with 17 points from nine matches.

Jagjeet Shrestha gave Three Star a 10th minute lead which was cancelled out by a 35th minute penalty from Sujal Shrestha—a goal that helped the match burst into life. Three Star controlled the match for the first half an hour and took an early lead when Jagjeet fired a low shot under the arms of MMC goalie Bishal Shrestha after Bikram Lama set the midfielder inside the area.

Nine minutes later, a freekick from skipper Sagar Thapa missed everyone but not returning striker Santosh Sahukhala, whose splendid volley powered into the nets before it was ruled offside. MMC were struggling to find their rhythm and found the equaliser at the right time when a cross from Bikram Limbu inside the Three Star area found the hands of defender Peter.

Referee Sudish Pandey pointed towards the spot and Sujal stepped in to send goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong the wrong way as both teams headed into the second half at 1-1 deadlock. After the resumption, Bijay Gurung set an early momentum for Three Star. Gurung produced some fine dribbling skills inside the MMC area feeding Sahukhala at the goalmouth but the striker failed to provide a simple tap in.

Two minutes later Gurung fired a wayward shot despite the midfielder being in a position to place the ball properly. In a threatening move in the 62nd minute, MMC’s Zikahe Leonce Dodoz set unmarked Sushil KC inside the area when Chemjong was not in his position but his shot was blocked by skipper Thapa. MMC keeper Shrestha saved a certain goal when he produced a full stretch dive to grab a powerful shot from Sahukhala in the 64th minute, while substitute Deepak Rai was unlucky to find the woodwork in the 77th minute.

On Saturday, leaders Jhapa will take on bottom team Lumbini at their home ground and Morang will meet Far West, also in Morang.