A great penalty save in added time by Omar Borg enabled a nine-man Msida side to earn a precious point from their difficult match against Valletta yesterday evening.

Borg became the team’s hero as he dived sideways to stop Monesterolo’s effort and save his side from a dramatic defeat.

Msida deserved to take away a point from this match after having to play with two men less for most of the second half. Had they been at full strength, I might have been writing a different story.

Patrick Curmi’s boys fought gallantly all the way, but could not do much more in just nine men.

Although the point may be useful, it gives an opportunity to Marsaxlokk to extend their lead at the top today, if they beat Floriana.

Msida had a splendid first half in which they were the most dangerous side thanks mostly to the incursions of Nwoke, Zongo and Babatunde.

Valletta missed the services of the suspended Massimo Grima in defence and Ian Zammit on the right flank.

But the citizens also had their chances as they operated in fast counter-attacks with Gilbert Agius showing his mastery with some excellent passes to Monesterolo.

The Argentine striker, however, missed a sitter early on but then was kept well under control before he finally emerged as City’s hero, scoring a merited equaliser.

Msida were well served in midfield by Peter Pullicino and Paul Fenech before the latter was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Valletta held the upper hand in the opening stages and Monesterolo could have given them the lead on six minutes when he was set beautifully by Agius, but he hit his effort just wide of the upright.

On the 13th minute, from a Bondin freekick, Gilbert Agius had a header going just over.

Msida’s reply arrived on 21 minutes, a shot from 25 metres from Pullicino sailing over the bar.

Moments later, following a cornerkick action, Nwoke nodded the ball down to Josef Mifsud who hit over from an ideal position.

Msida took the lead on the 26th minute. It was Daniel Nwoke who persisted on his entry into the City area, but with around three Valletta players harassing him, the Nigerian still managed to put a foot to the ball which ended at the back of the net.

Valletta fought back and a Monesterolo cross was saved by Borg with the aid of the post. Edafe had a long distance shot going over the bar. And soon after, it was goalie Borg who denied Gilbert Agius with a good save.

Soon after the start of the second half, Msida suffered a great setback when Zongo was through in the City area but was somehow grounded. Referee Attard, close to the action, showed the yellow card to the Msida player. And being his second card, it meant dismissal leaving his team-mates battling with a man short.

Just three minutes later and Msida ended in nine men when Paul Fenech, one of their best players till then, was also shown a second yellow card and had to leave the pitch.

Despite their inferiority, it was Babatunde who threatened the City fort again on 58 minutes, but Joe Attard again dismissed some penalty claims by the Saints for a pushing infringement by a Valletta defender.

On 60 minutes, Valletta’s Dyson Falzon had a shot saved by Borg, again with the aid of the crossbar. Moments later, Edafe missed a good opportunity, kicking wildly and wide from the edge of the area.

Valletta launched attack after attack but could not penetrate the gallant Msida defence until they finally got their just reward on 79 minutes. Substitute Justin Grioli’s cross was missed by the Msida defence and Monesterolo was on the exact spot to control the ball and hit home past a helpless Borg.

Valletta now roared all over their opponents and a Bondin low shot was well saved by Borg. On the 90th minute, Forace also had a good effort going just wide.

In added injury time, in a furious Valletta attack, a Forace cross created havoc in front of Borg who saved a first headed attempt by Monesterolo. But then another header from a Valletta player was handled by an Msida defender. Attard pointed to the dreaded spot, but Omar Borg covered himself with glory saving Monesterolo’s effort from the spot-kick.

Valletta: S. Darmanin (M. Montfort), J. Bondin, B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, R. Forace, D. Camilleri, U. Edafe (K. Magro), D. Falzon (J. Grioli), D. Zarb, G. Agius, S. Monesterolo.

Msida SJ.: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima, T. Farrugia, J. Mifsud, P. Fenech, Zongo Cussini, P. Pullicino, D. Nwoke (R. Baldacchino), I. Babatunde, D. Cachia.

Referee: J. Attard Asst refs: A. Camilleri, M. Debono, 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: D. Nwoke, S. Monesterolo

Yellow cards: S. Monesterolo, D. Zarb,

Red card: Zongo, P. Fenech,

Player of the match: S. Monesterolo

TMI Top 3: 1. J. Bondin, 2. O. Borg, 3. D. Zarb.