Margao, Jan 10: Defending champions Dempo Sports Club put up a dazzling display to beat formidable Churchill Brothers 4-1 and maintained their unbeaten race in the 10th round of the ONGC I League championship match played at the Nehru Stadium Fatorda here today.

Edeh Chidi in the 44th minute, Renty Martin in the 66th minute, Anthony Pereira in the 68th minute and substitute Joaquim Abranches in the injury minute of the second half scored for Dempo. Mboyo Iyomi reduced the margin for Churchill Brothers in the 85th minute. With this win, Dempo maintained their position at the top of the table with 24 points from ten outings. Churchill Brothers remained on the same 17 points from an equal number of outings.

Dempo, who have been performing well, toyed with the rivals right from the start but took time to settle down. Dempo drew first blood in the 44th minute through Edeh Chidi whose power-packed header found the net off a free-kick pass from Roberto Mendes Silva.

Inspired by the lead, Dempo continued to attack and increased their lead in the 66th minute through Renty Martin off a penalty awarded to them by referee K Shankar when Churchill's Genius Zenith handled the ball in the penalty area. Renty Martin converted the spot kick correctly to make it 2-0.

Dempo further consolidated their lead through Anthony Pereira in the 68th minute. The goal was a result of a fine combined move when Nicolas Borgues passed to Renty Martin who chested the ball to better-placed Anthony Pereira. Anthony shot into the net to make it 3-0.

Churchill reduced the margin in the 85th minute through Mboyo Iyomi following a flag kick by D Raju.

Dempo put the last nail in Churchill's coffin in the injury minute of the second half through substitute Joaquim Abranches who headed in a cross pass from Edeh Chidi to make it 4-1 and sealed the fate of Churchill Brothers.

Dempo's Anthony Pereira was adjudged the man of the match for his fine performance.

UNI