Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Carabott (C. Micallef), D. Theuma, T. Farrugia (S. Tagliaferro), J. Mifsud (D. Gatt), P. Fenech, D. Cachia, R. Bajada, C. Sciberras, D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, C. Mamo, S. Wellman, N. Gomes Dos Santos, C. Magro, G. Sciberras, S. Bajada, K. Sammut (T. Templeman), C. Frendo, W. Soares Gomes (J. Pace), M. Licari (R. Gauci)

Referee: J. Attard. Asst.refs: K. Borg, C. Micallef 4th official: A. Casha

Scorers: C. Frendo, D. Theuma

Yellow cards: S. Bajada, R. Bajada, D. Theuma, D. Carabott, I. Babatunde, P. Fenech

Red cards: R. Debono, P. Fenech

Player of the match: D. Theuma (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. S. Wellman 2. D. Theuma 3. J. Mifsud

Six bookings and two sending offs might suggest this was some real fire and brimstone affair. But as far as competitive games go, it was a rather scrappy, stoppage-ridden match.

The drawn result must have satisfied Marsaxlokk most because not only have they retained fourth place in the standings, one point above the same Msida, but they managed to avoid a second embarrassing defeat after having to play with ten men for most of the last hour.

They had their goalkeeper sent off on 30 minutes for committing a foul on Msida's Babatunde.

The latter contrived to miss the resultant penalty which could have turned the match in Msida's favour. The Saints failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority and fell behind before halftime, only for the lion-hearted Theuma to score their equaliser early in the second half.

Marsaxlokk reshuffled their side after the previous defeat against Valletta. Debono took Gauci's place in goal, until being sent off, while Bart-Williams and Pace were dropped to the bench. With Schembri also suspended, Marinov gave starts to Licari and Soares Gomes in attack and Gomes Dos Santos in central defence.

Msida, made only one change to their winning team against Floriana, as Fenech was preferred to Pullicino in midfield and they were off to a better start against the unsettled Marsaxlokk, who looked nervous and horribly disjointed.

The referee's constant whistling interrupted the flow of play in the first half, as both teams reverted to niggling fouls. Mr Attard brandished five yellow cards and a red one during the first 45 minutes.

The Marsaxlokk goal apart, the sending off of their goalkeeper on the half hour, was the only highlight of a shambolic first half.

When Babatunde pounced on a Carabott long ball from the right and was about to lob the ball over Debono, he was obstructed by the keeper in the process and fell to the ground. Debono was sent off and Msida were awarded a penalty. After quite a lengthy interval, Babatunde stepped up to take the kick but substitute keeper Gauci stretched himself to save his weak low shot and Msida's chance went to waste.

Ironically, Marsaxlokk started to have more possession after that and the game suddenly came to life towards halftime as Msida threatened with a Bajada low drive, after exchanging the ball with Nwoke, which keeper Gauci did well to repel with his foot. Marsaxlokk took the lead immediately afterwards.

Cleaven Frendo latched on to Soares Gomes' long ball inside the area, resisted the challenge of his marker and shot into the top corner past a helpless Borg in goal.

Msida effected a double substitution five minutes after the restart as Carabott and Farrugia made way for Micallef and Tagliaferro and on 58 minutes they drew level.

Mifsud's cross from the right caused panic in the Marsaxlokk area and Daniel Theuma capitalised to beat Gauci with an overhead kick from the edge of the small box.

Although play remained mostly chaotic, bereft of genuine quality, there were half chances on both ends.

On 67 minutes, Wellman, a towering presence in the Marsaxlokk defence, played a long ball forward to Frendo who raced towards goal but was thwarted by the onrushing keeper.

On the other end a Theuma curling free-kick from the edge of the area went inches over.

Numerical equilibrium on the field of play was also restored on 80 minutes when Msida's Fenech received his marching orders following a second bookable offence within five minutes.

Msida went closer to clinching a late dramatic winner in added time when they broke loose but substitute Gatt saw his effort blocked by the plucky Gauci.

At the end the Saints were left to rue that penalty miss.