Tarxien Rainbows and Vittoriosa Stars picked a point each in a balanced Relegation Pool encounter at the Hibs Stadium that ended in a 1-1 draw.

It was the Stars who drew first blood after 13 minutes when skipper Marcelo Pereira sent a precise cross towards Oscar Guerrero who headed firmly past Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella.

The Rainbows took some time before getting back into the equation in fact they had to wait until the 40th minute to draw level when Jorge Santos Silva released Karl Pulo who turned past his marker before hitting a low drive past Vittoriosa goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

On the restart it was Vittoriosa who controlled proceedings.

On 50 minutes Vella distinguished himself when he palmed away Filipe Aguiar’s curling drive while 11 minutes later the Tarxien custodian did well to tip over Ousmane Sidibe’s dipping header.

Vittoriosa remained the more dangerous side and 15 minutes from time Guerrero served Pereira who saw his firm drive pushed away by Vella.

Tarxien were reduced to ten men when Carlo Mamo was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

But still the Rainbows managed to preserve the point till the final whistle.

Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella was voted as the BOV Player of the match.