Calcutta/Bangalore: Pune FC kept their play-offs hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against debutants Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League here on Friday.

Pune coach Ranko Popovic would be happy with result as his team managed to remain second on the points-table with 29 points, having scored 28 goals in 16 matches.

Bengaluru FC had matched Chennaiyin FC's five-match winning run of 2015 and were a match away from creating a record of their own. However, Sarthak Golui's goal in the 20th minute gave Pune the advantage, while Miku ensured Bengaluru got at least a point with the equaliser in the 75th minute.

Bengaluru, who have already qualified for the play-offs, are still table-toppers with 34 points after finding the net on 31 occasions in 16 matches.

Goluli gave coach Popovic something thing to smile about. It was a team goal as Marcelino Leite Pereira turned his marker down and laid it off for Emiliano Alfaro Toscano, who squared it off for Sarthak.

Bengaluru got the equaliser through Miku after he tapped a cross from Semboi off a faulty clearance from Baljit Sahni.

Captain Sunil Chetri ran towards the box from Dimas Morgado Delgado's pass and chipped a cross into the centre. Baljit Sahni clearly raised his hand to deflect the ball into the side-netting.

In 74th minute, Chetri assisted a header onto the path of Miku at the far post from a corner. Miku tried to poke the ball into the net from a tight angle, but goalkeeper Vishal Kaith came across in time to parry it away.

In the 80th minute, Toni Dovale's free-kick took a deflection off Jonathan Lucca's head and changed direction to trouble Kaith who got his hand to the ball to pull off a stunning save.

Pune had another go at Bengaluru goal in 56th minute, when Diego Carlos De Oliveira poked the ball wide.

INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE

BENGALURU FC  1
PUNE FC  1