Kathmandu: Annapurna RCT eased relegation pressure  defeating Brigade Boys Club 2-1 on Monday in Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League Football League at ANFA Complex Satdobato.

The second victory in a row came as a giant stride towards survival in the second tier league for RCT.

Ajit Gurung opened the scoring for the six time A division champions in the 14th minute and Nikhil Tamang doubled the advantage eight minutes from time. Brigade Boys replied at the end of the second half through Abhisek Ranamagar but it turned out too late.

Annapurna RCT now have 14 points and climbed to seventh place while the defeat puts Brigade Boys under pressure to avoid relegation. Former ‘A’ Division side Brigade Boys have 12 points and are under pressure to win the remaining two games of the campaign.

In the late fixture, Rajesh Dahal scored a brace for Jhapa FC as they defeated bottom place Nayabasti Youth Club 3-1 and climbed to fifth place with 15 points.

Rejesh found the net in the 38th and 85th minutes. Babin Bohara had given an early fifth minute lead to Jhapa. Suman Yongya’s 68th minute goal turned out to be a consolation. Relegation-threatened Nayabasti sit at rock-bottom with eight points in their kitty.