(RCT) beat Laxmi Hyundai Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) 2-1 in the Martyrs Memorial San Miguel A Division League here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

The TAC (19 points) jumped two spots up to fourth while RCT (17 points) climbed to seventh. MMC and Machhindra were both pushed one place down to fifth and eighth respectively.

TAC, who have been let down by the striking line, rode on the solitary goal from defender Hiranya Magar with two minutes remaining. Hiranya cashed on the defensive lapse from Machhindra to score from a tight angle. The Armymen completely dominated the first 30 minutes but almost succumbed to poor finishing.

In the first minute, Raju Tamang’s powerful shot hit the bar while Amrti Basnet couldn’t score on a one-on-one with Machhindra goalie Raju Nagarkoti three minutes later. Machhindra missed twice in the first half when Naresh Pokhrel’s powerful curling shot was superbly punched by TAC goalkeeper Bikash Malla in the 32nd minute before unmarked Karna Limbu shot wildly off target from six yards.

TAC’s Bed Narayan Chaudhary headed wide on Raju Tamang’s pass. Machhindra could have found the net in the 79th had selfish Pukar passed the ball to unmarked Daniel Sores Neves. Unmarked Amrit should have scored for the TAC in the 74th minute but he ended up with an uncontrolled shot when the post was unattended.

Machhindra coach Megh Raj KC lashed on his boys for playing selfishly. “The players created many opportunities but all of them want to score themselves without passing the ball to teammates,” said KC. Army coach Raju Kaji Shakya said the strikers let him down one more time.

Earlier in the day, a stunner from Deepak Rai in the 72nd minute helped RCT avenge their 1-0 defeat in the first leg. RCT took a 33rd minute lead when Yogesh Gurung found the net in a rebound after MMC goalkeeper Bishal Shrestha blocked Amir Lama’s header.

RCT were dominant in the first half with better ball possession and attacks. Deepak’s powerful shot out from the area sailed inches above the bar in the 14th minute and MMC goalkeeper Bishal parried Uttam Gurung’s shot in a close encounter. Bishal once again came to the rescue denying Deepak’s shot. MMC’s South Korean forward Kim Sun Do failed to score from six yards out.

Ganesh Khadka levelled the scores for MMC in the first half injury time with his powerful low shot leaving the RCT goalie Dilip Chhetri stranded. Deepak then broke the deadlock converting his 22-yard powerful shot into a sensational goal. Satisfied with the win, RCT coach Madhu Karki credited the win to wingers Uttam Gurung and Prabesh Katuwal. “We were able to win the match because Uttam and Prabesh showed their true colours. My boys played as we had planned,” said Karki.

MMC coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said the junior players did not have the strength to play in the league. “The boys — mostly from the ANFA U-19 team — are not experienced enough to play for a long time,” said Gurung.