(File photo)

ATK beat NorthEast United FC 1-0 in the ninth round Super League clash at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Sarusajai in Guwahati on Friday night.

The victory lifts them to sixth place after nine matches and suddenly gives them hope, and takes some wind off the sails of NorthEast United FC, who had beaten FC Goa in their previous encounter.

Zequinha was the star of the show, striking in the 73rd minute to give his side the lead and the winner. He had been threatening for a while before the ball graciously fell to him after a period of pressure from ATK, The Outlook reported.

The Portuguese hammered in a volley into the far corner, his connection too sweet to not find the back of the net.

If the first half was a slow affair, the second one started with a bang. Danilo Lopes made easy work of Jordi Montel before taking a stinging shot from outside the box.