Victoria Hotspurs winger Jonathan Bajada (right) runs clear of Mattias Uzur, of St Lawrence Spurs, during their Division One match. The result was 0-0. Photo: Philip Cassar

The first two games from matchday 11 of the GFA Division One championship, involving teams in the bottom half of the standings, produced two draws that brought very little changes to the standings.

St Lawrence Spurs and Victoria Hotspurs shared the points in a goalless stalemate and the clash between the bottom sides in the league, Sannat Lions and SK Victoria Wanderers, ended 1-1.

The draw was a setback for the Hotspurs who would have joined Kerċem Ajax in third place had they beaten the Spurs.

First-choice strikers Nikola Vasilic, Rodney Buttigieg and Michael Bezzina were missing for the Citizens while St Lawrence’s William Barbosa was out, suspended.

As expected, the Hotspurs saw more of the ball but looked over-confident, particularly in the first half where their best efforts on goal came from Jonathan Bajada and Antoine Camilleri.

The Hotspurs increased their efforts after the break but the Saints continued to defend with tenacity to keep their more-quoted opponents at bay.

Victoria, who had a penalty claim turned down, were also unlucky on three separate occasions when attempts by Daniel Farrugia, Felipe Aguiar and Ferdinando Apap came crashing against the Spurs’ goal frame.

Sannat Lions and SK Victoria Wanderers found it hard to create goal-scoring opportunities.

The Wanderers were the better side during the first half, taking a one-goal lead following a rasping grounder by Sunday Baala on 43 minutes.

The scores became level on 58 minutes when Ernest Qordja hit home from a free-kick.

Sannat were awarded another free-kick a couple of minutes later but this time Qordja was denied by the upright.

More was expected from Sannat, especially after the Wanderers had two players sent off.

Joseph Refalo was dismissed on 66 minutes for a second bookable offence and skipper Chris Sciortino followed him late on for a handling infringement.

Despite their numerical dis-parity, the Wanderers held tight to deny the Lions their first victory of the season.

Meanwhile, it has been announced yesterday that Victoria Hotspurs defender Ferdinando Apap and Daniel Bogdanovic, the Xewkija Tigers forward, have won the GFA BOV player of the month awards for November and December res-pectively.

Division Two

Leaders Għajnsielem turned defeat into victory after defeating Għarb Rangers 3-1 to maintain their six-point lead over nearest pursuers Munxar Falcons.

Għarb surprised the Blacks, going in for the break leading 1-0 thanks to a Daniel Muscat goal midway through the half.

But Għajnsielem staged a strong reaction and Charlon Tabone pulled the teams level before Frank Lee Galea and Damon Hili dashed Rangers’ hopes with late goals.

Xagħra United edged Qala Saints 2-1 to move off the bottom place in the standings.

The Blues held more of the initiative, opened the scoring on 63 minutes through Victor John Saliba.

Qala levelled with a perfect Shaun Muscat lob but substitute Daniel Bartolo scored the goal that mattered six minutes from time to give Xagħra the points.