Anil Gurung scored from the last kick of the match as Manang Marshyangdi Club edged Jhapa XI 3-2 in an intense battle to blow the Red Bull National League title race wide open for the top four teams.

Jhapa went ahead in the 19th minute through a Karna Limbu strike before MMC levelled through Bishal Rai in the 58th minute. Rai once again struck in the 70th minute before Yogesh Gurung levelled in the 84th. Just as it seemed both teams were settling for a draw, Gurung scored in the 95th minute to ensure his team walk away with three points.

The win lifted MMC to second from fourth with 25 points from 13 matches and trail leaders Three Star Club, who have also played as many games, by just one point. Tribhuvan Army Club and Jhapa are tied on 24 points with the former staying ahead on goal difference. Jhapa are the only team in the top four to have played 14 games.

Having accomplished the revenge mission against Jhapa, who had defeated them in the first leg 1-0, MMC coach Raju Kaji Shakya was a content man. “The win has kept us right on track for the title race. We have relatively easier matches left but we will remain cautious,” he said.

With just two games left, Jhapa are still in the hunt but coach Bhagirath Ale has already given up on title. “Had it been a draw today, we could have stayed alive for the title but the defeat meant we are out of contention,” said Ale.

MMC had the first chance in the game when Deepak Rai’s back heel pass found Gurung who struck powerfully on the run only for Jhapa goalie Dinesh Thapa to punch it out in the 17th minute,

Jhapa went ahead against the run of play when Moussa back headed Dinesh Karki’s cross straight to Limbu who made no mistake scoring past MMC’s second choice custodian Dipesh Yadav.

The match picked the momentum in the second half with both teams creating threatening moves and converting few of them. Jhapa had a chance to kill off the game when Bishal Rai’s back-heel pass found Dinesh Karki inside the area. However, the midfielder shot wide in a one-versus-one encounter with Yadav in the 56th minute.

MMC levelled when substitute Ravi Paswan took advantage of a defensive lapse to feed Bishal at the goalmouth and the midfielder coolly converted with a simple tap.

Jhapa wasted a chance to restore lead in the 63rd minute with Ganesh Khadka firing a volley over the post. It was MMC who succeeded soon when in a counter move, Anil Gurung set unmarked Bishal close at the area and the latter perfectly placed the ball into the net. Jhapa levelled six minutes before time through Yogesh, who converted his shot from the goalline, placing ball at the top corner.

In another defensive lapse from Jhapa, Gurung managed to head the ball over goalkeeper Thapa before firing home the winner in an empty post.