Veteran central defender Jewel Rana and substitute striker Tapu scored one goal apiece for the defending champions who pushed their collection to 29 points, one less than Mohammedan, after 12 rounds.

Arambagh, who came back briefly with a spectacular strike by Ritu, remain in seventh place with 11 points.

The Oranges, who lost 1-0 to Arambagh in the first-leg, also tasted sweet revenge for their only defeat so far with their ninth victory.

The first chance fell to Brothers when Emily sent a superb cross from the right flank in the very first minute but Russian striker Victor was slow to reach the ball near the goalmouth, allowing Arambagh stopper Ramjan to clear the danger.

Victor, who has scored seven goals so far but never looked confident, wasted a sitter after 18 minutes when he met a square pass by right full-back Siraji. The ball came to the unmarked forward's weak right foot and his effort near the dreaded zone hardly tested to goalkeeper Shakil.

Arambagh, who relied on breaks on the counter, earned a real chance in the 34th minute but Ritu headed the ball over the bar after Nigerian striker Patrick's perfect chip from the left caught the whole Orange backline wrong-footed.

Victor once again failed to convert a 37tth minute chance and five minutes later, he was substituted in favour of Tapu who ultimately struck Brothers' match-winner.

The Gopibagh outfit made another tactical change early in the second half and Liton, who came for Abul in the midfield, helped Jewel break the deadlock in the 56th minute.

Taking the ball from a short corner by Parvez Babu, Liton sent a chipped cross at the near post for Jewel who found the net with a glancing header.

Even before Brothers' celebrations were over, Ritu scored the equaliser in the very next minute. Just after the restart, the striker released a scorching drive from 50 yards, giving a napping Tarek no chance at the other end.

Emily and Siraji forced fine saves by Shakil while Tarek had to race out of his box to thwart Arambagh captain Imrul's before Brothers sealed the victory from another setpiece.

In a replay of their first goal, Liton's centre after Parvez Babu's quickly taken corner flew near the goalmouth but this time, it was Tapu who headed the ball past goalkeeper Shakil and Juku, the Arambagh rightback, who made no effort to stop the ball on the line.

TEAMS
BROTHERS: Tarek, Sujan, Jewel, Masud Rana, Siraji, Hicham, Pranotosh (Monwar), Abul (Liton), Parvez Babu, Victor (Tapu) and Emily.

ARAMBAGH: Shakil, Juku, Ghansah, Akram, Ramjan (Sohel), Dulal, Imrul, Rintu (Jewel), Ritu, Patrick and Ridon.

Referee: Mansoor Azad.