ĦAMRUN SPARTANS  1

Criaco 14

GŻIRA UNITED             1

Conti 90

Gżira United needed a stoppage time equaliser from new signing Gianmarco Conti to bag a 1-1 draw against Ħamrun Spartans at the National Stadium

The result lifted Gżira just one point adrift of leaders Hibernians, who face Valletta on Sunday, while Ħamrun remained fourth on 27 points.

The match was off to a frantic start.

Only 30 seconds elapsed when Moukanza’s throughball put Wilfried Domoraud clear but the Spartans striker was denied by the onrushing Justin Haber.

At the other end Haruna Garba sped past his marker but his firm drive was pushed away by Manuel Bartolo.

The match remained a lively affair with Ħamrun breaking the stalemate on 14 minutes.

Priso played in Marco Criaco who burst through from the left and beat Haber with a low drive.

Gżira were rattled and Ħamrun came close on 20 minutes when Nayar’s overhead kick finished just over.

Nine minutes from the break, it was the Reds who almost doubled their lead when Domoraud found the steaming Priso inside the area but the Cameroon forward fired wide from close in.

Gżira finally came close six minutes from the break when Justin Mengolo almost surprised Bartolo with a dipping header but the ball finished just over.

Two minutes into the second half, Wilfried Domoraud fed Moukanza inside the area but was denied by the alert Haber.

On 54 minutes, Gżira came close when Cohen’s curler finished just over.

Ħamrun should have added a second goal on 59 minutes when in a swift break Moukanza sent a low cross into the path of Priso who incredibly failed to make contact to the ball in front of a gaping goal.

Haber came again to Gżira’s rescue on 70 minutes when he showed great reflexes to keep out Moukanza’s shot.

Gżira had to wait until the 89th minute to threaten again when Sofian Domoraud’s shot pushed to a corner by Bartolo.

But from the ensuing corner, the Ħamrun no.1 could do nothing when Conti showd great composure to beat Bartolo with an overhead kick.

Ħamrun's Marco Criaco was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

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