Mellieha saved by late equaliser

Mellieha 1
Sta Venera Lightnings 1

A penalty scored by Wayne Borg St John two minutes from time earned 10-man Mellieha a precious point on Monday in their effort to side-step relegation. Fabio Cauchi made his debut for Sta Venera.

Mellieha goalkeeper David Vella was called in action first when saving on an Alfred Micallef shot from close in. In the 16th minute, Kevin Gauci wasted an easy chance and a minute later Adrian Galea headed just wide from a Borg St John corner. Joe Chetcuti's header was cleared off the line by Mellieha's Gauci.

After just two minutes from the restart Sta Venera took the lead from a calibrated Jeffrey Zammit free-kick. Mellieha then had wing-back Mario Debono sent off for a foul on Zammit.

Everyone expected the Saints to wrap up the match with another goal but Vella kept Mellieha in the game with a string of fine saves.

Then, the unthinkable happened when the northerners drew level two minutes from time. Borg St John was tripped in the Saints box and from the penalty he sent the keeper the wrong way to give his side an unexpected draw against fellows-in-distress Sta Venera.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Melita 0
Vittoriosa Stars 1

Melita are fast slipping down the standings after yet another upset, this time to Vittoriosa Stars who scored late in Monday's other match to stay in contention for a promotion berth.

Play resulted mainly in midfield as equilibrium prevailed for most of the match. Melita had an Edward Herrera shot saved by Vella as Vittoriosa duo James Galea and Jason Cassar tried hard to pierce the opponents' defensive lines.

Beppe Antignolo's shot seemed destined to hit the Vittoriosa net but the ball took a deflection after hitting team-mate Matthew Borg.

On 35 minutes, the Stars' woodwork denied Adriano Fenech from goal and just before the interval the same player hit wide from a free-kick.

No team could impose any kind of superiority after the break but in the closing stages Vittoriosa upped a gear. Free-kicks by Charles Cachia and Stephen Calleja had little success but four minutes into added time Lawrence Mizzi swerved the ball home from the flag-kick for a dramatic winner.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Standings - Division Two

Division Three

Ghaxaq 2
Kirkop United 2

Kirkop seemed heading towards a useful victory against Ghaxaq but a Noel Tabone goal a minute from time earned Ghaxaq a point in their efforts to sustain their promotion challenge.

Kirkop took the lead right on the hour following a Chris Farrugia free-kick. But three minutes later Kevin Tonna made it one-all after a fine solo move.

Kirkop regained the lead in the 65th minute when Edward Mizzi headed in from a Ramon Mallia corner but Ghaxaq managed to equalise through Noel Tabone after the Kirkop rearguard hesitated to clear in front of their own goal.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Zurrieq 2
Birzebbuga Sp 1

Zurrieq turned defeat into victory to deal a severe blow to Birzeb-buga's promotion hopes.

Birzebbuga played better in the early stages of the match but had to wait until the 45th minute to find the opponents' net from a Jean Paul Desira drive.

Zurrieq staged a remarkable comeback during the second part of the game.

In the 57th minute Robert Bajada headed in the equaliser from a cross by Philip Farrugia and two minutes from time Darren Bellizzi stunned Birzebbuga with the winning goal.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Mgarr United 2
Ta' Xbiex 0

This was the first victory of the season for Mgarr who handed Ta' Xbiex their eighth upset from nine outings.

On 20 minutes, Mgarr deservedly took the lead following a powerful Chris Ghio shot and in the 35th minute they increased their lead through Johan Said.

Ta' Xbiex came more into the picture after the break and on two occasions went close through Kevin Agius and Clayton Chircop.

Ten minutes from time Mgarr were unlucky when a low shot by Ian Zammit was saved by Ablett with the assistance of the upright.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia.

Zejtun Corinthians 1
Sirens 2

Zejtun were after all three points to stay in the running for promotion but the young Sirens team had other ideas.

Zejtun's Glen Azzopardi found the Sirens net after only three minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside. Sirens settled down quickly and in the 20th minute a Maurice Busuttil free-kick hit the upright.

After some sustained pressure, Sirens opened the score, Reuben Bonnett hitting the net from a free-kick.

Zejtun were a better lot after the break but found in-form keeper Schembri in their way.

In a counter-attack 14 minutes from time, Gareth Galea doubled Sirens' lead. Two minutes from time Zejtun reduced the arrears after an own-goal by Sirens captain Kristian Galea. In injury-time Zejtun missed an easy chance to draw level through Vince Camilleri.

Referee: George Bitri.

Standings - Division Three