Msida SJ: O. Borg, J. Mifsud, D. Theuma, P. Guia (D. Nwoke), C. Micallef, R. Bajada (K. Sammut), M. Boni, D. Cachia, J. Zammit (F. Cauchi), M. Porceddu, A. Farrugia.

Pieta H: S. Darmanin, P. Aquilina, B. Nisevic, C. Okoh (D. Camenzuli), A. Spiteri, G. Sciberras, S. Repuh, S. Ciscaldi, A. Debono (S. Zahra), C. Calleja (C. Sammut), C. Frendo.

Ref: C. Pisani Asst. refs: A. Camilleri, N. Debattista 4th official: P. Caruana.

Scorers: D. Nwoke, C. Frendo (pen)

Yellow cards: C. Frendo, A. Farrugia, M. Boni, S. Zahra, D. Camenzuli

Red card: M. Boni

Player of match: C. Frendo (Pieta H.)

TMI top three: 1. C. Frendo 2. K. Sammut 3. S. Ciscaldi

This keenly contested match between neighbours Msida and Pieta ended all square but a calamitious second half, with Msida taking the lead 12 minutes from time and Pieta equalising through a penalty in added time, brought about a dramatic finale which looked improbable after the first 45 minutes.

With only one point separating the two teams in the standings, a win for either side was vital to boost their chances of a Championship Pool berth.

Msida were closer to achieving that, enjoying a one-goal lead on 90 minutes. But they were sabotaged by an own defensive ingenuity when Boni threaded over an opponent in the area and conceded his side a penalty besides himself being sent off for violent conduct. The referee failed to see the infringement but his assistant did and bravely drew the referee’s attention despite being contested by the Msida supporters at the end of the match.

Buoyed by their success against Lija in the previous game, Msida were additionally strengthened by the return of Dino Cachia and the start of Johan Zammit in attack. Their latest signing Paul Fenech sat on the bench.

The departure of Woods to Sliema in midweek forced Pieta’s coach Deanov to field Claudio Calleja in attack. Suspensions had deprived the Hotspurs of midfield mentor Ortas as well as Farrugia but Ciscaldi and Debono deputised capably.

Pieta fashioned some neat football for the first quarter hour. They showed up with a Repuh low free-kick which went tantalisingly wide after five minutes and a Calleja effort on Debono’s pass ended just over the bar.

On 15 minutes Frendo delivered an inviting cross from the right, Calleja put his firm header to it but Msida’s keeper Borg tipped into a corner with a superb reflex save.

Earlier the Saints had tested the Pieta keeper Darmanin with a Boni tame header on a Bajada free-kick.

Luckily the football improved in the second half, mainly thanks to Msida’a more aggressive start, carving three chances within five minutes.

Zammit powered his way inside the Pieta area but was hampered by Nisevic and Darmanin rushed off his line to block. Then Sammut put porceddu clear on the left but the Italian took too long to conclude and the chance went begging. A Boni insidious free-kick from the right was turned to a corner by Darmanin.

After Frendo’s inswinging free-kick was palmed out by Borg, Msida effected a double substitution towards the hour, putting in Nwoke and Cauchi for Zammit and Giua. The Saints were revitalised.

Pieta also put in Zahra and Sammut six minutes later and looked capable of pulling themselves into the game as Msida’s midfield was looking flimsy with the absence of Bajada and with Boni dropping at the back for Giua.

On 69 minutes Pieta threatened with a Frendo low diagonal pass as both Zahra and Nisevic failed to connect in front of goal.

Msida however surged valiantly forward. Nwoke dribbled his way on the right, beat the grounded Darmanin but shot on the side netting. Porceddu again spurned another Msida chance, shooting straight on the grounded Darmanin when put clear by Sammut.

Porceddu somehow atoned for that miss on 78 minutes when he provided the pass for Daniel Nwoke to control and beat Darmanin with a low drive.

With Msida heading towards an important win, Boni stamped the grounded Pieta substitute Camenzuli inside the area when Pieta were awarded a free-kick in added time.

On his assistant Debattista’s flagging, referee Pisani awarded Pieta the penalty and sent off the Msida player. Amid harsh and prolonged protests from the Msida players, Claeven Frendo finally beat Borg from the spot kick to level matters.

The final whistle sparked wrath from the Msida supporters and a committee member also invaded the pitch, trying to assault the assistant referee, but was held back by the plucky keeper Borg until order was restored.