Marsaxlokk 2
Mosta 2

Rumen Galabov experienced mixed fortunes in this absorbing match as the lanky Bulgarian, having scored a brace to put Marsaxlokk 2-1 up, conceded a late penalty that led to Mosta's deserved equaliser.

The draw means that promotion favourites Marsaxlokk now lead Balzan Youths and St George's by three points with five games to go.

Mosta began the game on the attack. After a few minutes, Brian Galea headed over from Mark Briggs's corner. On 12 minutes, Mosta were unlucky not to forge ahead as Lyden Micallef's angled shot hit the underside of the crossbar.

Marsaxlokk responded four minutes later when Peter Pullicino headed wide from Marin Deanov's cross.

It was Mosta who took the lead on 19 minutes. Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Reuben Debono cut out Gilbert Martin's run but the ball fell invitingly to Micallef who chipped the ball into the net from some 30 metres out.

Patrick Curmi's side reacted immediately and a William Camenzuli missile was parried away by Jonathan Debono. From the rebound, David Carabott drove wide. Mosta went close again on 23 minutes but Martin's close-range attempt finished just wide.

Marsaxlokk managed to draw level on the half hour, Galabov heading firmly into the net from a Deanov corner. The southseasiders went in front six minutes from half-time, Galabov again powering his header into the net from another Deanov corner.

In the second half, Marsaxlokk seemed mostly concerned with preserving their lead. It was Mosta who came close on 62 minutes but Terence Vella's drive was saved by Debono.

With 20 minutes left, a shot from Martin was kept out by the Marsaxlokk keeper.

Ten minutes from time, the speedy Martin burst through the Marsaxlokk defence only to be brought down by Galabov inside the box. Briggs converted the penalty to earn Mosta a deserved point.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, D. Carabott, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino, M. Licari, W. Camenzuli, G. Caruana (D. Attard), C. Brincat, R. Galabov, F. Raimy, T. Templeman.

Mosta: J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, B. Galea, L. Stivala, M. Briggs, L. Grima, J. Vella, L. Micallef, T. Vella (P. Vassallo), G. Martin (A. Cini).

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: Gilbert Martin (Mosta).

St George's 2
Mqabba 1

Promotion hopefuls St George's extended their positive run with a 2-1 victory over relegation strugglers Mqabba.

Mqabba, who had goalkeeper Kris Calleja and striker Claudio Calleja returning from suspension, saw more of the ball early on.

St George's forward Glenn Bonello drove the ball high and wide after receiving from Chris Ciappara on 24 minutes. Mqabba replied four minutes later when a Grech grounder was saved by Galea.

St George's won a penalty 10 minutes from half-time. Ciappara and Silvio Sciberras played a good one-two but as the latter ran towards goal, Mqabba defender Marco Catania appeared to handle the ball. Bonello scored with his second attempt from the 11-metre mark.

Mqabba wasted a golden opportunity just before half-time when Wilson Caushi's drive was deflected into the path of the unmarked Martin Anastasi who fired wide.

At the start of the second half, Mqabba coach Clive Mizzi effected a double substitution. John Debattista came on for the enterprising Elliott Navarro and Glenn Barry replaced Shaun Magro.

Five minutes into the second half, Caushi hit wide from an acute angle. Mqabba's Mark Gauci then brought the best out of the Saints goalkeeper.

Mqabba continued to struggle to create openings.

With 15 minutes to go, it was St George's who made it 2-0. A misunderstanding between Debattista and goalkeeper Calleja opened the way for Josef Dalli who intercepted the ball and passed to Sciberras who slotted home.

Seven minutes from time, Calleja was floored by Anthony Bonello in the box and the Mqabba striker picked himself up to drill the ball home from the spot.

Mqabba raised their efforts to rescue a point. Two minutes later, Anastasi's effort missed the target.

St George's should have killed off Mqabba in the final three minutes when Bonello released substitute Matthew Xerri who shot high.

Mqabba ended the match with 10 men when substitute Mark Anthony Psaila was red-carded after earning a second caution for dissent.

St George's: T. Galea, E. Sevasta, C. Grech, E. Amaira, B. Fenech (M. Xerri), J. Dalli, G. Mallia, C. Ciappara (J. Bugeja), A. Bonello, S. Sciberras (D. Galea), G. Bonello.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Catania (M.A. Psaila), P. Grima, P. Borg, S. Magro (G. Barry), M. Gauci, O. Grech, C. Calleja, E. Navarro (J. Debattista), W. Caushi, M. Anastasi.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Man of the match: Glenn Bonello (St George's).

Playing today: Tedesco Stadium, 7 p.m. Melita vs San Ġwann.