Birkirkara: B. Paris, K. Spiteri, L.. Galea (R. Sammut), T. Paris (M. Anastasi), P. Fenech, M. Galea, R. Hartvig, S. Bajada, M. Tamboulas, G. Mallia, E. Yantchev.

Msida SJ: M. Bartolo, S. Grima, A. Spiteri, C. Brincat (P. Borg), T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, A. Farrugia, R. Baldacchino, D. Njongo Priso, Y. Ouahchia (G. Magri), G. Camilleri (C. Spiteri).

Referee: M. Borg Asst refs: A. Camilleri, G. Barbara 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: Njongo Priso pen, Tamboulas,

Yellow cards: A. Farrugia, G. Mallia, T. Farrugia, S. Grima,

Red card: A. Farrugia

Player of the match: D. Njongo Priso

TMI Top 3: 1. T. Farrugia, 2. S. Bajada, 3. M. Tamboulas

Msida St Joseph, reduced to 10 men on 70 minutes, resisted bravely against all odds to take a precious point off Birkirkara in yesterday’s second match.

It was an important point for Patrick Curmi’s side as they have now moved on to five points in the standings.

For the Stripes, after last week’s defeat against Pieta, it was another two precious points lost. It seems evident that John Buttigieg’s outfit, a revelation side in the opening four matches, has lost its early touch and will have to work harder if they are still harbouring hopes of challenging for the title.

Birkirkara had former Msida goalie Omar Borg starting the match on the bench as were Alan Tabone and Roderick Sammut.

However, they held a territorial edge over their rivals who, in Ouahchia and Njongo Priso had two dangerous raiders up front, giving the Stripes’ defence a lot to worry about.

The Saints concentrated mainly on defence where Clive Brincat and Tyrone Farrugia played quite well as Michael Galea often fell in the offside trap.

In the second half play was more balanced as Msida shared the exchanges until they had Adrian Farrugia sent off. From then on, it was an almost continuous assault on the Msida goal, but the Stripes still failed to find the net, thus having to be content with just one point – enough, however, to keep them in second place, two points behind Floriana and one ahead of third placed Sliema and Marsaxlokk.

Birkirkara were close to open the scoring on three minutes. A George Mallia freekick was partially saved by Bartolo and an Msida defender cleared in extremis to corner before Galea could apply the finishing touch.

On 11 minutes, a Shaun Bajada freekick passed through friend and foe only to hit the Msida upright.

Msida were penned in their half for long stretches, but on 21 minutes a long-range effort by Baldacchino beat Paris only for the ball to stamp against the crossbar.

Msida were awarded a penalty when Gilbert Camilleri was floored in the area by Hartvig. From the spot-kick, Njongo Priso sent Paris the wrong way to open the scoring.

But their joy was shortlived as just a minute later, Birkirkara equalised. Tamboulas finished a fine four-man move with a neat touch that never gave Bartolo a chance.

On 37 minutes, Galea set Tamboulas on the left, but the striker’s lob over Bartolo went wide of the posts.

On 57 minutes, Michael Galea set Tamboulas on the left. The latter advanced into the Msida area only to see his shot going just wide.

Birkirkara insisted and Galea and Fenech both having shots blocked by Msida defenders. On 64 minutes, off a Shaun Bajada cross, Galea was again denied by a diving Bartolo.

And Msida nearly took a shock lead on 68 minutes when Paris had to collect the ball with his left hand off a Njongo Priso good effort.

Msida were left with 10 men on 70 minutes when Adrian Farrugia was shown a red card after a second bookable offence.

Birkirkara almost took the lead on 78 minutes, but Yantchev’s shot from the edge of the area was cleared dramatically off the line by substitute Patrick Borg, a former Stripes player.

The Stripes bombarded the Msida fort in the last ten minutes, but could never find a way past a well drilled Msida defence, in which Tyron Farrugia was above the rest.