PIETÀ HOTSPURS-1, NAXXAR LIONS-1
Relegation strugglers Naxxar Lions and Pietà Hotspurs shared the points in a 1-1 draw that did little to boost their survival hopes.
The Hotspurs were the better side in the opening stages while Naxxar improved after the change of ends but their pressure failed to yield a second goal.
The game started on a quiet note but, on 18 minutes, Pietà Hotspurs took the lead.
Argentine forward Claudio Frances veered infield from the right before hitting a low drive that rolled past Julian Azzopardi, the Naxxar Lions goalkeeper.
Naxxar struggled for fluency for much of the opening 35 minutes but they equalised seven minutes from half-time.
Angus Buhagiar started and finished the move as his powerful run took him past the static Pietà midfielders before firing a low drive that had the better of Miguel Montfort, the Hotspurs a goalkeeper.
Pietà had a good chance to regain their lead but Charles Newuche headed wide at the far post from Frances's free-kick. On the stroke of half-time, Azzopardi, the Lions goalkeeper, saved a central header from Newuche who met another cross from Frances.
Terence Vella replaced Daren Falzon at the start of the second half.
Inside the opening two minutes, Gilmar's low free-kick was kept out by Montfort.
Naxxar were the better side after the change of ends. They missed a great chance to nose ahead when Gilmar's grounder was tipped away by Montfort and Toure hit wide with the goal at his mercy.
The game became more balanced as the second half progressed but it was Naxxar who threatened again on 62 minutes. Gilmar produced a firm drive from the distance that was repelled by Montfort. Vella and Toure swooped on the rebound but the former was flagged offside.
Pietà then cleared Buhagiar's header from Doffo's corner.
The Lions were now piling up the pressure on the Hotspurs rearguard.
With 18 minutes remaining, Ibok Edet allowed Gilmar's cut-back to reach Victor Bellia, on as a substitute, but the latter's grounder was blocked by Fortunato.
Moments later, Vella, running on to Gilmar's pass, dashed into the box but went down under Karl Micallef's challenge but the Lions' penalty claims were turned down by Andre Arciola.
Ricardo Costa, who had just come on for Frances, almost punished Naxxar but his curling drive skimmed the crossbar.
Gilmar, the Naxxar Lions playmaker, was voted BOV player of the match.