New Delhi, Sep 18 - East Bengal's woeful run in the 122nd Durand Cup ended with a 0-2 loss to defending champions Mahindra United in the quarterfinal league stage here Friday. The Mumbai outfit qualified for the semi-finals to stay in contention for their fourth Durand title.

A brace from Mahindra striker Mohammed Rafi within an interval of three minutes (63rd, 66th) spelled doom for the 16-time champions.

It was an inconsequential match for East Bengal as they were already knocked out of the tournament after a 0-1 loss to newcomers Lajong in the first match and Friday failed again to salvage some pride.

After the loss, East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick, who had at times compared himself to Jose Mourinho, walked out with his head bowed down as agitated East Bengal fans shouted for his resignation.

Losses to Tata Football Academy (TFA) colts and Chirag United in the IFA Shield and now the Durand Cup debacle prompted the East Bengal club management to call an emergency meeting to ponder over the team's future ahead of the I-League that starts next month. It was East Bengal's fourth consecutive loss in the start of the season, something that has happened rarely in the club's 99-year old history.