MOSTA 2 MQABBA 2

Mqabba staged a stirring fightback from two goals down to earn a point against Mosta this afternoon. Clive Mizzi's side were without a win for the last three matches – and they looked condemned to another defeat as Mosta took total control early in the match.

Obinna Obiefule gave Mosta the lead just before half-time. The Mqabba rearguard fluffled a clearance which fell to Dyson Falzon from the edge of the box with the Nigerian alert enough to turn home the midfielder’s cross which appeared to be going wide with the Mqabba players failing to react.

Kris Calleja's goal was breached again after the break. The modus operandi was always the same when Obiefule latching on Dyson Falzon's long cross, chipping Calleja with a glancing header.

Buoyed by their two-goal salvo, Mosta unwisely opted to sit back and absorb pressure from their shell-shocked opponents. Mqabba started to push forward in a bid to get back into contention and six minutes later, Duca centred the ball towards John Nwoba who headed home.

Mosta still created openings in the Mqabba rearguard and Gilbert Martin offered a reminder of his pace and skill with a single devastating burst of pace, a mazy run which finished off with a low drive which finished straight at Calleja.

With Mosta now protecting a narrow lead, Mqabba sensed they could secure an unlikely point and it duly arrived in the closing stages.

Debono did superbly to claw away Nwoba's effort but when Mamic pounced on the loose ball, he sent in a shot that Mosta goalkeeper could not keep out.

Mqabba almost snatched victory at death when Mamic's free-kick finished just wide – but there was no doubt that Mosta's fans were the happier when Caruana sounded the final whistle on an enthralling game.