Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Scriha, S. Grima, S. Vella, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia (A. Farrugia), C. Sciberras (J. Mifsud), P. Fenech, R. Baldachhino, O. Zongo, D. Nwoko.

Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, K. Scerri, D. Vella, N. Fasinelli (J. P. Zammit), B. Zammit (R. Micallef), E. Yanchev, D. Cucciardi, V. Bellia, W. Chircop (A. Scerri), G. Martin

Referee: I. Miller, asst.refs: K. Borg, I. Spiteri, 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Yellow cards: T. Farrugia, D. Cucciardi, A. Farrugia, C. Sciberras

Scorers: D. Nwoke, Yanchev (pen)

Red card: S. Vella

Player of the match: Gilbert Martin (Marsa)

TMI top three: 1. G. Martin 2. R. Baldacchino 3. B. Zammit

Msida missed a golden chance to reduce the gap with leaders Marsaxlokk, when they were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by lowly Marsa. Msida who were without Babatunde and Pullicino had to play the last 25 minutes without defender Stacey Vella who was sent off for foul language.

The match was scrappy in the first half but full of excitement in the second one, with Marsa awarded two penalties, with one being saved by Omar Borg. Although surprising, the result can be considered a fair one as Marsa, produced one of their best matches so far.

On the other hand Msida's performance was a far cry from their overall first round performances. Msida looked to have settled the match with an early second half goal, but Marsa's equaliser thwarted their plans and Msida never recovered their composure.

Marsa's Gilbert Martin was the best player on the field. Although playing as the only striker, the gifted young striker managed to hold the Msida defence on the hold whenever he got possession of the ball.

The match had a tame start with Marsa's Gilbert Martin creating the first danger when he Farrugia just outside the area. It was evident from the first minutes that Msida were going to sorely miss Ibrahim Babatunde and Peter Pullicino, both suspended.

In fact Msida's first chance was through a Daniel Nwoke header that went slightly over the bar. However Marsa roamed all over the place and Patrick Curmi's boys could not settle down. In attack the fast and minute Martin was in brilliant form and kept the Msida defence under pressure.

The second half started with Msida showing more determination and went very close after only fourty seconds when Rodrick Baldacchino penetrated inside the area and crossed to Daniel Nwoke whose shot was saved off the line by Fasinelli, and from the rebound, the same Nwoke shot incredibly high.

However Msida forged ahead on 47 minutes. Baldacchino was again instrumental with a powerful run, and passed to Daniel Nwoke who slotted the ball underneath goalkeeper Debono who was surging out of position to block the Msida striker.

Msida looked settled now and played with relative ease, but Marsa hit back on 58 minutes and obtained a surprise equaliser. Cucciardi was tackled by Pio Scriha, with the referee opting for a very dubious penalty decision. From the spot Emil Yanchev made no mistake scoring the equaliser.

Msida's reaction was an immediate one with Sciberras blasting the ball high from an ideal position. The match was now full of life with Msida piling the pressure and Marsa dangerous in their breaks. Zongo had a first timer going inches wide on 65 minutes.

Three minutes later the match erupted, when Marsa were awarded a second penalty for a shirt pulling infringement that was signalled by assistant referee Spiteri. After some harsh protests by the Msida players, Yanchev took the penalty which was saved by Omar Borg.

After Borg's save Stacey Vella passed some remarks to referee Miller, who immediately showed him the red card.

Tempers flared in the last minutes with Marsa trying to make full use of their numerical superiority, with Msida battling for every ball in search of the winner. Marsa goalkeeper Debono showed great courage diving desperately in Nwoke's feet to save a certain goal.

Msida's desperate attacks created several chaotic actions inside Marsa's penalty area, with Farrugia heading high a Zongo cross, but Msida's efforts proved futile as Marsa snatched their third draw of the season.