Xewkija Tigers, still on a high following their victory in the direct clash against Nadur Youngsters the week before, were surprisingly held to a draw by Victoria Hotspurs.
However, the point won was still good enough for the champions to take sole leadership in Division One as the Youngsters conceded a second successive defeat when going down to SK Victoria Wanderers 3-2.
The Hotspurs saw more of the ball during the first half but Xewkija opened the score on 15 minutes through a header by Eric Nwankwo from a cross by Dene Shields.
The Hotspurs had good chances to level matters, through Keith Bonello and Ferdinando Apap, but had to wait until the 36th minute to score an equaliser when Antoine Camilleri hit home from a corner.
Play was more exciting after the break and victory could have gone either way.
The Hotspurs looked the more menacing team on the field and on 68 minutes Rodney Buttigieg had a shot blocked by keeper Adrian Parnis while an attempt by Camilleri ended just high.
Xewkija’s best opportunity to clinch the victory arrived on 78 minutes through a strike by Chris Camilleri that hit the post.
In the other match from the top flight at the Gozo stadium, SK Victoria Wanderers shocked Nadur with a goal in the first minute following a low drive by Sunday Baala.
Nadur tried to hit back but the Wanderers weathered the storm and added two more goals to their tally through Baala (36) and Matthew Zammit (43).
Claudio Antunes reduced the deficit before half-time and Nadur laid siege on their opponents’ goal after the break but found goalkeeper Branko Vrndic in fine form, denying them with a series of fine saves on Joseph Grima and Claudio Antunes.
However, 13 minutes from time Vrndic marred his day with a red card following a foul on substitute Charles Mercieca inside the box. From the spot Antunes made it 3-2.
Nadur tried hard to avoid the upset but Eman Bugeja, who replaced Vrndic between the posts, did well to deny Milos Stojanovic and Joseph Grima.
Six minutes from time a Charles Mercieca free-kick hit the Wanderers’ post and from the rebound Mark Hyzler’s attempt was also stopped by the woodwork.
Surely, this was not Nadur’s day. They are one point behind Xewkija having led the table for most of the season before two defeats in a row.
Division Two
Għajnsielem were back to winning ways in Division Two after defeating Għarb Rangers 1-0, with the goal that mattered scored by Michael Bezzina on 37 minutes.
In another match, promotion contenders Munxar Falcons recorded a dramatic 2-1 win over Qala Saints to stay six points behind Għajnsielem in the standings.
Munxar had Orlando Atzori sent off on 36 minutes but still managed to open the score before half-time with a Stefan Farrugia goal.
Qala doubled their efforts after the break but they were also reduced to ten men on 76 minutes when Manwel Scerri was ejected for a second bookable offence.
Three minutes later Qala levelled matters thanks to a goal by substitute Nathan Portelli but on the stroke of time Munxar’s Frank Paul Azzopardi hit the winner.