Cuttack: Services beat Kerala 2-1 in the first semifinals played at  Barabati Stadium, Cuttack to storm into the final of the 66th Santosh Trophy, on Friday.

Subrata Sarkar scored first goal in 5th minute of the match to take his team lead while Marsook scored an own goal to double Services' lead in the 50th minute while Vineet Anthony managed to pull one back for Kerala scoring from the spot in the 83rd minute.

R Kannan led a solo attack in the hunt for an equaliser, but the Kerala striker wasn't able to find the target in the 19th minute before being denied by Services goalkeeper Nanao Singh who tipped over the former's long-range effort in the 34th minute.

Kerala tried endlessly to get back in the match in most of the second half but it just wasn't their day as Usman and Kannan's shots went wide in the 55th and 70th minutes respectively.

Services goalkeeper was also instrumental in his side's win as Nanao Singh pulled out back to back saves to block Shibin Lal's volley in the 75th minute before denying Usman in the 77th minute.

In a hope of revival, Kerala won a penalty in the 83rd minute which substitute Vineet converted, but Services held on to a resolute final minutes to edge the encounter.

Services will hence play in the final on 28 May against the winners of the second semi-finals between Manipur and Tamil Nadu.