Usha pushed their collection to 18 points, thanks to a brace by Pakistani forward Delwar Hossain and a goal apiece by his compatriot Shafqat Rasool and Rafiqul Islam Kamal.

Mariners, who stuck to 12 points after six rounds, pulled one goal back through Mohammed Arshad but must consider themselves unlucky to not leave the field with a win as they wasted a series of second half chances in their second loss.

Kamal rushed early blood when he flicked home a pass by Titu in the second minute but Mariners struck back two minutes later when Pakistani medio Arshad pulled off the equaliser, placing the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Zahid with a through from Prashanta.

Farhan could have put Mariners ahead soon but blasted his effort over from close as Usha went ahead again in the tenth minute. This time, Saqlain's long pass across the field picked up fellow Pakistani Delwar whose powerful drive stunned the whole rival defence and goalkeeper Bitu.

Delwar was on target again when he dribbled Miraj to make it 3-1 in the 17th minute.

Mariners took absolute control after the breather and bombarded the rival post but Farhan fired just over before Rahul squandered two sitters, having shot straight to the keeper and failing to push the ball into an open net. Shishu also frustrated his teammates as the Mariners striker showed poor finishing during a number of combined efforts.

Mariners' all-out effort resulted in a classic counter attack by Usha and Kamal neatly put the ball into the path of Shafqat who went round the rival goalie to place the ball into an open net with two minutes remaining on the clock.