Marsaxlokk 1
Mqabba 1
Mqabba took the point they needed against champions Marsaxlokk to retain their place in Division One for another season.
This was one of the best performances by Clive Mizzi's side this season as not only did they hold their own against the best team in Division One but showed character and played some exhilarating football.
In the first half the game was evenly balanced even though the southerners enjoyed more of the possession. But Mqabba were well disciplined especially at the back hampering Patrick Curmi's side in producing goalscoring opportunities and they never stopped running.
Mqabba forged ahead in the 13th minute when John Paul Muscat showed his skill when he unleashed a fierced drive that came off the bar and from the rebound Omar Grech slotted the ball home.
Three minutes later, Marsaxlokk missed a sitter when Martin Deanov drove the ball wide from five metres.
Marsaxlokk changed tactics by switching Martin Deanov from the right to the left flank but to no avail.
In the 53 minutes, Kris Calleja produced a magnificent save off Kokavessis who let fly a screamer from just inside the box.
Mqabba could have added a second in the 65th minute when Grech was foiled by Glenn Zammit in the Marsaxlokk goal.
Two minutes later Licari missed an easy opportunity when he shot wide from 12 metres after a good pass by Trevor Templeman. But in the 70th it was the Marsaxlokk custodian who thwarted Grech again by saving with his left foot following a good move by Muscat.
But Marsaxlokk drew level in the 72nd minute when Pierre Grima floored Deanov in the box and from the penalty spot the Bulgarian made no mistake.
In the 81st minute Caruana came close for Marsaxlokk when his piledriver from an acute angle finished inches wide.
Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit; T. Templeman (G. Sciberras), W. Camenzuli, E. Yantchev, D. Carabott (R. Galabov), F. Raimy, P. Pullicino, M. Deanov, D. Kokavessis (L. Grech), M. Licari, G. Caruana
Mqabba: K. Calleja; M. Bonnici, P. Grima, P. Borg, M. A. Psaila, M. Gauci (G. Barry), J.P. Muscat (S. Magro), V. Caushi, J. Debattista, O. Grech, M. Anastasi (C. Calleja).
Referee: Mario Apap.
Man of the Match: Omar Grech (Mqabba).