Kolkata, March 21 (IANS): Defending champions Bengal came back from a goal down to thrash Maharashtra 5-1 while Chandigarh and Manipur played out a 1-1 draw in Group A matches of the national football championship for the Santosh Trophy here on Wednesday. Bengal underlined their credentials as hot favourites to retain the crown as second-half goals from Monotosh Chakladar (55th minute), skipper Jiten Murmu (62nd), Bidyashagar Singh (79th, 82nd) and Rajan Barman (89th) sealed the deal for the hosts as they consolidated their lead at the top of the group. For Maharashtra, Leander Dharmai opened the scoring in the eighth minute at the Sailen Manna Sports Complex in Howrah. At halftime, they led 1-0 before the floodgates opened for Bengal. Bengal had also won their opening game against Manipur 3-0. This was Maharashtra's first outing. Meanwhile in the day's other game, Manipur took the lead riding Nganbam Naocha's goal in the 25th minute but Vivek Rana cancelled it out in the 65th minute to hand Chandigarh a point. Bengal will next take on Chandigarh on March 25 while Manipur will lock horns with Kerala on March 23.