Pax of Nagoa's dreams of climbing the Goa Professional League summit evaporated in agonizing fashion on Friday, as Sesa FA snatched a dramatic 3-1 victory with two goals in the dying moments.

Joshua D'Silva emerged the hero for Sesa, scoring a stunning hat-trick that not only propelled his team level on points with Nagoa at 24 but also saw him assume the mantle of the league's top scorer. The win keeps the title race wide open, with six teams still locked in a thrilling battle for the crown.

Altogether five teams – Pax of Nagao, Sesa FA, Cortalim Villagers, Sporting Clube and Calangute Association are on 24 points. Sporting Clube, with a game in hand, holds the key to unlocking the title race further. A win against Young Boys of Tonca on Saturday would push them atop the table due to their superior goal difference over Dempo SC, who remain precariously perched at the summit with 27 points.

Nagoa started brightly, grabbing the lead in the ninth minute through Velroy Fernandes. He pounced on a defensive error, dispossessing a Sesa defender and coolly slotting past the keeper. The lead seemed to wake Sesa, and Joshua responded in kind on the stroke of halftime, mirroring Fernandes' goal with a sharp turn and clinical finish.

The second half unfolded as a tense affair, both teams probing for the decisive advantage. Just when a draw seemed inevitable, Joshua struck again in the 87th minute, sending the Sesa bench into raptures. And the drama wasn't over yet. As stoppage time ticked away, Joshua completed his hat-trick.

While Sesa celebrated their dramatic climb, Nagoa were left to rue their missed opportunities. Their squandered lead not only keeps them off the top spot but also allows Cortalim Villagers, who secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Vasco SC, to climb alongside them and Sesa on 24 points.

Vikram Venkatachalam scored a stunning over-head kick for Cortalim Villagers before Velroy Carvalho added the second in their 2-0 win over Vasco.