Late equalisers for Sta Lucija, Kirkop

Zurrieq 1
Sta Lucija 1

Zurrieq played their best match of the season and were a whisker away from winning this match only for promotion-seekers Sta Lucija to score a very late equaliser to maintain their unbeaten record.

Zurrieq were impressive during the first half and completely outclassed Sta Lucija. They went close after 14 minutes through a Philip Farrugia effort, which was saved by Brincat. Philip Farrugia blasted wide from a good position and on another occasion Robert Bajada ruined all the good work by Farrugia.

Just before the end of the first period, Zurrieq took a deserved lead through an excellent Bajada drive from the edge of the penalty area.

The Saints hit back admirably after the break. On one occasion they carved out a good scoring chance but Liam Cutajar's header was cleared off the line by Darren Bellizzi.

Zurrieq striker Farrugia was sent off for a second caution in the 90th minute. Three minutes later Karl Caruana hit home a last-gasp equaliser for the Saints.

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.

Kirkop United 1
Gharghur 1

Leaders Gharghur seemed heading towards their 10th victory of the season on Monday night but nine-man Kirkop's fighting spirit paid off late in the match when they managed to draw level in a clash that saw three players sent off by referee Kevin Azzopardi.

Gharghur took the lead after just 38 seconds when Kirkop defender Simon Barberi committed an own goal in his bid to block a shot by Antonio Sammut.

On nine minutes Aldo Pace headed just wide of the Gharghur post. At the other end Kirkop goalkeeper Stephen Mizzi made a series of saves to deny Sammut, Robert Cassar and Keith Seychell.

In the 69th minute an incident in midfield led to the sending off of Karl Vella Petroni (Gharghur) and Etienne Bonnici (Kirkop). Four minutes later Kirkop striker Chris Farrugia was also shown the red card for a second caution.

Four minutes from time Gharghur's Chris Vella Petroni hit the upright but three minutes into stoppage time Kirkop scored a dramatic equaliser when substitute Antoine Spiteri headed in after an Eman Ciappara free-kick had smacked against the bar.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Zejtun Corinthians 1
Gudja United 2

This was a difficult match for Gudja who retained their second placing in the standings after beating Zejtun who never stopped running throughout the match.

The Corinthians showed the better football during the first half and after only three minutes a Mario Farrugia header just missed the target. Then, Gudja keeper Xerxen blocked a Farrugia shot and an attempt by Jean Paul Abela was also close for Zejtun.

Gudja shared the exchanges after ends were changed and on the hour they took the lead through Albert Caruana following a pass by Jason Bartolo.

Gudja increased their lead soon after when a James Spiteri corner-kick was headed on by Edmond Zammit to Abdilla who made it 2-0.

Gudja endured a torrid finale after Vince Camilleri pulled one back for Zejtun in the 83rd minute. Just before the final whistle, Xerxen denied Gerada with a crucial save.

Referee: Edward Spiteri.

Mgarr United 1
Kalkara United 0

A Neil Busuttil goal, two minutes into injury-time, saw Mgarr United obtaining their second victory in the league at the expense of the luckless Kalkara who remained bottom of the table without a point and a goal from 11 matches.

Mgarr were unlucky early on when a Daniel Schembri free-kick hit the woodwork. Six minutes later Kalkara keeper Caruana effected a difficult save to deny Busuttil with Kalkara's response producing a Jeremy Gatt effort that was saved by Fenech.

The second period continued to be balanced with Mgarr going close early on through Sandro Borg and Busuttil. Kalkara had a Maurice Muscat free-kick which just missed the target.

When everything was pointing to a goalless draw Busuttil scored Mgarr's winner as he beat Caruana from a corner.

Referee: Mariano Debono.

Ta' Xbiex 0
Sirens 1

A late goal scored by Alex Debono earned Sirens the points in a match which the St Paul's Bay team dictated for long stretches. Ta' Xbiex are still without a win after 11 outings.

Omar Ablett, the Ta' Xbiex keeper, did well to keep out a header by Kristian Galea from a Copperstone corner-kick as Sirens immediately imposed their superiority on the field of play.

However, it was Ta' Xbiex who could have taken the lead on 34 minutes when a Kevin Pace free-kick was stopped by the Sirens' woodwork.

Sirens increased the pressure after the interval but Ablett stood firm in the Ta' Xbiex goal.

However, nine minutes from time Debono scored the goal that mattered when his grounder finished inside the Ta' Xbiex net.

Referee: George Bitri

Ghaxaq 1
Birzebbuga SP 2

Fourth-placed Birzebbuga en-hanced their promotion prospects after defeating Ghaxaq with Antoine Sacco's excellent goal proving decisive in the second half as Ghaxaq's promotion hopes suffered a severe setback.

Ghaxaq took the lead after just five minutes through Paul Carabott following a personal effort. Sandro Lapira wasted an easy opportunity for Ghaxaq and on another occasion Noel Tabone headed just wide from a Michael Ciappara free-kick.

On 39 minutes the seasiders drew level through an own-goal by Ghaxaq defender Ciappara following a Tonio Caruana corner.

Birzebbuga were the better team throughout the second half and after some missed chances, Sacco hit the ball home from a free-kick in the 57th minute.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Standings