Mellieha seemed heading towards an important win but Rabat finally managed to obtain a deserved late equaliser through their main striker Adam Smeir.

Mellieha were the better team during the first 45 minutes with Wayne Borg St.John going close after just five minutes.

In the 30th minute Rabat were close through Kayne Said and seven minutes later Mellieha were denied by Azzopardi off a close-range header by Hubert Vella.

In injury-time Mellieha broke the deadlock through a direct free-kick taken by David Fenech with Azzopardi being at fault.

Throughout the second-half Rabat pressed forward and wasted two clear opportunities through Joe Caruana before justice was done in the 88th minute as Adam Smeir equalised for the Ajax.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Zebbug-B'Bugia SP 2-0

Two late goals scored by Mark Ciantar and George Saliba gave Zebbug Rangers their second consecutive win which means that they have moved closer to leaders Dingli Swallows.

B'Bugia lost their goalkeeper Ludvic Fardell after just 12 minutes when he was sent off for a handling infringement outside the penalty area in an effort to stop Rangers' striker Josef Felice.

B'Bugia were still good enough to go twice close through Jason Cassar and in the 29th minute an attempt by Michael Ciappara was well saved by Philip Attard.

After the change of ends Zebbug dictated the run of play and after six minutes an attempt by Gordon Mallia was saved by Mangion.

Zebbug broke the deadlock on 67 minutes with Eric Sciberras providing an inch perfect pass for substitute Mark Ciantar to hit home.

Zebbug assured themselves of the three points with a second goal scored by George Saliba.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Gudja-Dingli Swallows 0-0

Gudja's keeper Matthew Xerxen was the protagonist in this match against leaders Dingli as he brought off fine saves to deny the Swallows' forwards in the very few occasions they created.

Dingli gained the initiative early on and in the 21st minute the crossbar denied them off a Darren Roe free-kick.

On another occasion an attempt by Roderick Farrugia was well saved by Xerxen. Just before the break Xerxen was again in action as he blocked a Genovese header from a Spiteri corner-kick.

Six minutes into the second-half Xerxen brought off an excellent save to stop a shot by Roderick Spiteri with Gudja replying through Chris Grech's header which was saved by Farrugia.

Three minutes into injury-time Gudja's midfield player Elvin Gauci was booked for a second time and was therefore given marching orders.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Lija-Balzan 0-0

This derby match between Lija Athletic and Balzan Youths attracted a sizeable crowd at the Centenary Stadium with Balzan proving to be the better team but they were stopped by an excellent performance by Luke Bonnici, the Lija custodian.

The first period was a very balanced affair with Balzan creating the best opportunities.

After two minutes Balzan's keeper Bonello saved off an Anthony Gera volley and on ten minutes the same player crossed for Colin Ciantar to head just wide.

From then onwards Balzan assumed the initiative with the Lija keeper Bonnici bringing off a difficult save to stop a Monreal effort.

Seven minutes before the interval the post denied Balzan off a Monreal long range shot.

Six minutes after the restart Balzan were close as Sacco's low shot was saved by Bonnici. On 68 minutes Sacco was again denied by Bonnici and ten minutes from time Alistair Camilleri did all the work for Malcolm Tirchett to shoot at goal from close-range but once again Bonnici was on hand to block with his legs.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit