RABAT AJAX-3, BIRKIRKARA-3
Rabat Ajax caused a mini-surprise this afternoon as they twice fought back from a goal down to hold title contenders Birkirkara to a 3-3 draw at the National Stadium.
After coming from behind themselves, Birkirkara looked to have won it when Nikola Vukanac put them 3-2 up with only seven minutes left but debutant Jose Luis Armaro Negrin gave bottom side Rabat Ajax a point with a late equaliser.
It was the second consecutive draw for Birkirkara who are level with Hibs on 28 points.
Rabat Ajax stunned Birkirkara by taking a third-minute lead. Making light of the rain and strong wind, Spanish midfielder Manuel Fuster drifted into the Birkirkara box before hitting a curling shot that had the better of the diving Ini Aktpan, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
Birkirkara regrouped but despite enjoying a welter of possession, they rarely threatened the disciplined Rabat defence. Rowen Muscat fired over from a good position after Jhonnattann's corner reached the Birkirkara midfielder at the far post.
The Stripes created their best chance when Brazilian forward Jhonnattann breezed into the box from the right but his strong shot was saved by Sean Mintoff, the Rabat Ajax goalkeeper.
Early in the second half, Alejandro Mendoza blasted over from Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's assist. Mifsud Triganza then hit just wide after receiving from Jhonnattann but Birkirkara gained a deserved equaliser on the hour.
Reaching a pass in Rabat's box, Mifsud Triganza flicked the ball towards Ryan Scicluna who fired home.
Birkirkara went ahead midway into the second half when Jhonnattann exchanged passes with Mifsud Triganza and raced through before beating Mintoff with a low shot.
The momentum was with Birkirkara now, Mifsud Triganza and Scicluna miscuing their efforts from an inviting position after being set up by Jhonnattann.
Much against the run of play, Rabat equalised when Felice rose well to head David Azzopardi's free-kick past Aktpan.
Birkirkara regained their lead with 13 minutes left, Vukanac hammered home after Mintoff hadf partially saved Mifsud Triganza's effort.
The game looked as good as over but Rabat levelled again two minutes from time when debutant Jose Luis Armaro Negrin ran past the back-tracking Birkirkara defenders and hit past Aktpan.
In stoppage time, Mintoff, the Rabat goalkeeper, denied Birkirkara a winner when touching away Mifsud Triganza's flick from close in.
Jhonnattan was named BOV player of the match.