Pace dents Stripes' championship hopes

Still in with a shout for the coveted trophy, Birkirkara took to this match well aware that any loss of points from this tricky encounter could well spell finis to their title hopes.

Marsaxlokk may have endured a disappointing season given the wealth of talent they have snapped up this term but in the end, Atanas Marinov's lads can still provide a dent in any side's stride towards the championship.

Yesterday was no exception as Marsaxlokk managed to snatch a point thanks to substitute Jamie Pace's last-gasp strike as the southerners are fast gaining the reputation as Birkirkara's bogey team. In fact, this was the third time that the two sides shared the spoils this season.

Shocked by a goal early in the second half, the Stripes restored equilibrium within two minutes and a late strike by substitute Chucks Nwoko seemed enough for Birkirkara to snatch maximum spoils and keep Valletta and Sliema Wanderers firmly within their sights. With the match already in added time, substitute Pace beat Saviour Darmanin with a low shot to level terms and end Birki-rkara's title hopes this season.

Missing the services of injured duo Haruna Doda and Antoine Zahra, plus the unavailability of Michael Galea, the Stripes played a typical 4-4-2 formation with William Camenzuli and Lucian Dronca guarding the centre of defence and Lino Galea and Roderick Sammut patrolling the flanks.

Etienne Barbara was facing his former club for the first time after making the switch from Marsaxlokk during the January transfer window. Up front, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza partnered George Mallia in a two-pronged attack which was very effective in creating havoc in the Blues' rearguard for most of the match.

On ten minutes, Camenzuli slipped the ball towards the unmarked Mifsud Triganza who seemed all set to shoot at goal only to be dispossessed by an alert Paiber whose tackle diverted the ball to a corner.

After the first quarter, Dronca served Monye inside the area and the midfielder managed a weak shot which was easily tackled by Debono.

Midway through the first half, Briffa nearly broke the deadlock with what would have been a freak goal. His attempt took a wicked deflection off a defender and the ball skewed awkwardly towards goal past a stunned Debono who was relieved to see the effort ending wide.

The southerners managed an isolated foray on 33 minutes as Andre Schembri fed the ball towards Cleaven Frendo who flashed past Camenzuli but the towering presence of Darmanin was enough to prevent the striker from immediately trying his luck at goal and when he did, it was from an impossible acute angle and the chance was squandered.

A minute later, the Blues created their best chance of the half when Schembri outpaced his marker and his low shot was cleared off the line by Camenzuli.

Five minutes from half time, rescuer nearly turned converter as Camenzuli's shot from the edge of the area filtered through a crowd of players but was saved by Debono.

Marsaxlokk may have spent much of the first half on the receiving end but whenever their blue-shirted players surged forward, they were always a menace to Darmanin and the Stripes' rearguard. A minute from half-time, Mamo chipped the ball from the left flank and Schembri darted in with a powerful header that thumped against the crossbar.

Seven minutes into the second half, Marsaxlokk took the lead. Schembri did well to shrug off a challenge as his pass enabled Bajada to breach the offside trap and beat Darmanin with a low shot.

The Stripes were quick to react and within two minutes, they were on level terms. Ciantar delivered the corner from the right, Mallia headed towards goal and Barbara pounced in to bury the ball home.

Azzopardi's boys kept up the pressure and with the inclusion of Chucks Nwoko, the southerners had to endure danger from some menacing runs which always had the potential of beating Debono in the Marsaxlokk goal.

On 70 minutes, Barbara flicked a measured cross towards Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza but the striker did not connect well and his header missed the target.

With time running out, Birkirkara stormed into the lead seven minutes from time. Mifsud Triganza's header was partially saved by Debono and with the defence failing to react, substitute Nwoko flashed in and headed the ball into the net.

The goal came at a crucial time and seemed set to reward Birkirkara with their first win over their opponents this season.

But the Blues snatched an unlikely draw in added time as Frendo served the ball to substitute Pace whose low shot was enough to beat Darmanin for a second time and practically eliminate Birkirkara from the championship race.