Chennai City looked to have the three points secured at one point but an engaging second half produced three goals...

Chennai City and Churchill Brothers played out an engaging 2-2 stalemate at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

Nestor Gordillo put the hosts into the lead early on but a competitive second-half produced three more goals. Nenad Novakovic and Israil Gurung scored to take the visitors ahead before Sandro Rodriguez netted an equaliser.

The hosts started on the front foot, with Pedro Manzi and Nestor Gordillo looking extremely potent in the attacking third.

Nestor surged down the left flank and crossed the ball low towards Manzi's feet in the sixth minute but the forward missed his shot from close range.

The crossed turned scorer three minutes later. A long ball out to the left flank was brilliantly brought down by the artistic Nestor Gordillo before playing a one-two with Pedro Manzi. He charged into the box with the return pass and slammed home the breakthrough goal.

Khalid Aucho, Dawda Ceesay and Willis Plaza worked hard to create something out of nothing for Churchill Brothers in Chennai City's half as the hosts dealt with the forays well. The visitors grew frustrated as the half progressed and by the end of it, they had committed more than 8 fouls, more than twice the number associated with Akbar Nawas' men.

The Goan club showed intent at the start of the second half and their improved display in the attacking third was rewarded in the 51st minute.

Israil Gurung's corner-kick was aimed at the near post where Nenad Novakovic rose the highest to head home a deserved equaliser.