NAXXAR LIONS 0

ST ANDREWS 0

Naxxar Lions and St Andrews failed to claim the three points in their relegation battle encounter, as a dreadful match with very few occasions ended in a goalless stalemate. 

The first 45 minutes were a cagey affair with the only noteworthy opportunity coming on minute 28 when Naxxar Lions forward Yuri Messias hit a sublime free-kick which Matthew Calleja Cremonja managed to divert into corner.

Minutes later a Manolito Micallef header was pushed away by Calleja Cremona. 

After the change of ends, the Saints started to pile pressure on Naxxar and they came close to draw first blood on a couple of occasions through Degran Jackson.

Five minutes into the second half, Jackson connected with a Gomez cross but his header went wide and five minutes later, the forward tried his luck with a solo effort but his shot was parried by Christoph Nicht. 

Michael Woods team continued to press forward and in the 67th minute, Kemar Reid hit an effort from a tight angle that failed to hit the target. 

Nine minutes from time, St Andrews were reduced to ten men when Jackson was shown a second yellow card.

From the resultant set-piece, Naxxar thought they had forged ahead when after St Andrews failed to clear the danger, and Micallef sent the ball into the net.

However, the 'goal' was ruled out for offside as the goalless stalemate continued to rein between the two sides. 

In the closing stages of the game, Spiteri’s clan had another clear-cut occasion to take the lead but from a tight angle, Daren Falzon could head the ball home.

In stoppage time, Messias took charge of another free-kick but failed to direct the ball into the net as both teams left the field with a point each. 

BOV Player of the match Joseph Farrugia (St Andrews).