Valletta’s unbeaten league streak was on the brink of coming to a halt yesterday. They were stretched to the limit by a resurgent Birkirkara side, showing commitment and tactical discipline that nearly brought them a win. The Stripes were only denied by Monesterolo’s equaliSer on the stroke of time after enjoying an early fifth minute lead through a Bajada free kick.

Valletta were given a really hard time for their money and were staring defeat in the face as they looked unable to break down Birkirkara’s tactical defensive plan, despite all their attacking play for almost the entire second half. This draw leaves them in second place, trailing leaders Marsaxlokk by one point.

There is always a revitalised fervour about both these popular teams and second versus third at the start of play, it had all the makings of a gripping game. It was good fare for those who came to be entertained.

Both sides needed victory – Valletta to regain sole leadership and Birkirkara to keep up the chase with the leading duo. Both were buoyed by previous sturdy wins and therefore went into this match in some vein of good form.

Valletta fielded an unchanged side, which meant Giglio and Ian Zammit started on the bench. Birkirkara made only one forced change, giving a start to Lee Lombardi instead of the suspended Yanchev.

Birkirkara made an explosive start as they forged ahead after only five minutes play. Shawn Bajada’s free kick from some 25 metres out on the right looked harmless until the ball skidded in front of the grounded keeper Hogg and into the net.

The Stripes’ euphoric start nearly brought them a second, three minutes later. Hogg tipped Bajada’s shot into a corner after good work by Sylla from the byeline.

But soon Birkirkara had to come to grips with Temile’s volatile runs from the flanks, which always procured danger.

Birkirkara however were showing a more direct approach. Midway through the half Bajada’s shot was held out by Hogg as Fenech lobbed the loose ball over the bar. Tabone found space on the right but Hogg blocked comfortably. Valletta kept raking long crosses inside the Birkirkara area, but only a few found their target because of the towering presence of Hartvig and Lombardi.

The Citizens put Ian Zammit in for Falzon at the start of the second half as they tried to push more forward. Monesterolo, who has been prolific of late, missed the ball’s flight on a deep cross from the left as Birkirkara threatened further with two close shaves from Tabone, both narrowly missing the target.

Gradually Valletta started to up the tempo, shooting from a distance. On the other end, Scicluna struggled to keep up with Sylla’s pacey runs inside the Valletta area on the Stripes’ fast breaks. By the hour it was still anybody’s game and Birkirkara put in Mallia for Bajada.

Monesterolo was denied by a good Borg save when put clear by Temile inside the box. Giglio was also put in the fray for the last quarter hour as Valletta tried to show more urgency. But Birkirkara did not buckle under Valletta’s mounting pressure and kept their composure, making full use of their substitutions.

Zammit’s grounder on 84 minutes, slipped keeper Borg’s grip but ended into a corner as Birkirkara’s hearts temporarily stopped beating.

Birkirkara could have sealed the issue with the minutes ticking on the clock but substitute Mifsud Triganza failed to conclude on yet another dangerous break after some frantic defending by the Valletta rearguard.

Valletta’s efforts were rewarded on the stroke of time as Sebastian Monesterolo left keeper Borg hooked to his line, with his glancing header, on Giglio’s deep cross from the left.

It was more than Valletta deserved for all their perseverance and second half efforts, yet leaving Birkirkara with a bitter pill to swallow.

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Birkirkara: O. Borg, T. Paris, P. Fenech, A. Tabone, M. Anastasi, R. Hartvig, L. Lombardi, S. Bajada (G. Mallia), J. Zerafa, D.A. Sylla (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), A. Ciantar (A. Zahra)

Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Grioli (S. Giglio), K. Scicluna, J. Mifsud, S. Bezzina, G. Agius, H. Backhaus, D. Camilleri, D. Falzon (I. Zammit), F. Temile, S. Monesterolo

Referee: J. Attard Asst.refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri 4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: S. Bajada, S. Monesterolo

Yellow cards: G. Agius, P. Fenech, R. Backhus

Player of the match: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. P. Fenech 2. R. Hartvig 3. R. Backhaus