Msida and Pieta produced a boring match, with the result being the most obvious, namely no goals with both sides gaining a meagre point.

The point leaves Msida joint sixth with Floriana, with Msida having a game in hand. They remain favourites to make it with the first six, even though their remaining matches are against Hibernians and a decisive affair against Hamrun Spartans.

Pieta needed the three points at stake to remain with a slim chance of making it to the championship pool, and now they are sure of playing in the relegation pool, having still to play against title aspirants Marsaxlokk and Sliema.

Msida had more of the ball with Dino Cachia playing a very good match in midfield, but Babatunde was lacking in attack. Nwoke tried his best but was not sharp in his conclusions, even though he was unlucky when he hit the crossbar.

For Pieta, Andrew Hogg was surely their best player, making a great save that kept his goal intact. Even David Camenzuli was solid in defence together with the returning Pierre Aquilina.

Ex-Valletta player Mark Galea had a rather quite debut and was never really in the match. Martin Deanov played a good match but his crosses never really threatened the Msida rearguard.

The first attempt was from Msida’s Ousseni who tested Hogg direct from a free-kick. On nine minutes Mark Galea on his debut with Pieta lobbed over the bar after a good pass from Decesare.

Andrew Hogg was again called in action on 14 minutes tipping into a corner a good freekick from captain Daniel Theuma.

The match continued to be balanced and played mainly in midfield. Mark Galea missed another good opportunity following a good run on the right by Martin Deanov.

On the half hour Daniel Nwoke rose high to meet a good corner by Dino Cachia, but his header went well over the bar. Five minutes from time a Cachia cross created havoc in the Pieta defence with Paul Fenech’s final shot blocked by the Pieta defenders.

The second half started with Msida appealing for a penalty when goalkeeper Hogg pounced on Daniel Nwoke with the referee waving play on. Babatunde tested Hogg from the edge of the area direct from a freekick.

On 55 minutes Pieta had a good counter break with Carl Sammut blocked in time by defender Mifsud. Three minutes later Ousseni had a powerful drive going over the bar.

On 68 minutes Andrew Hogg effected a great save denying Daniel Nwoke, and from the rebound Andrew Spiteri managed to anticipate Babatunde, saving a certain goal.

This was Msida’s best patch as two minutes later, Nwoke headed against the crossbar with Hogg beaten.

With ten minutes to go Martin Deanov beat the Msida goalkeeper but Daniel Theuma managed to block the danger.

The dying minutes were chaotic with Msida and Pieta settling for a point a-piece.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma, J.Mifsud, S. Grima, C. Micallef (M. Pullicino), T. Farrugia, D. Cachia (C. Sciberras), P. Fenech, I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo (S. Tagliaferro).

Pieta H: A. Hogg, D. Camenzuli, B. Sciberras, P. Aquilina, F. Marius, C. Sammut, S. Kondev, S. Ciscaldi, A. Decesare (A. Spiteri)(C. Okoh), M. Deanov, M. Galea.

Referee: A. Zammit, Asst. refs: C. Micallef, A. Camilleri, 4th official: A. M. Sant

Yellow cards: S. Kondev, T. Farrugia, C. Okoh, C. Sammut, Z. Ousseni

Player of the match: Dino Cachia (Msida)

TMI top three: 1. A. Hogg 2. D. Cachia 3. M. Deanov