Kathmandu, November 26:

Sankata Club held defending champions Carlsberg Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) to a goalless draw in the Martyrs’ Memorial San Miguel ‘A’ Division League Football here at the Dasharath Stadium today.

In a lacklustre match, both the defending champions and the rookie Sankata team failed to create clear chances though Sankata was close to scoring when Ranjit Shrestha’s freekick took the deflection of the MMC wall but went just wide in the 75th minute. Sankata striker Bharat Khawas was sent off for using abusive language in the 89th minute. In the 43rd match of the league, it was the first sent off. Khawas, who was also booked three minutes earlier, was shown direct red card for his behaviour.

Despite the draw, MMC moved atop standing with 16 points on better goal margin with Tribhuvan Army Club and third-placed Nabil Three Star. Sankata also moved one spot up to ninth position.

Sankata coach Maheshwor Mulmi was not satisfied with the result. “I was expecting an outright win but still winning a point against the defending champions is not bad,” said Mulmi. MMC coach Chhiring Lobsang Gurung blamed his midfield for the result.

Meanwhile, Sankata filed protest against MMC player Raj Kumar Ghising saying he was not a Nepali citizen. Ghising, however, was a member of the national U-19 team.