A last gasp penalty score by Tarek saved mellieha in this direct clash against St Patrick. The most exciting part of the match was without any doubt the last part of the match with the Saints taking the lead a minute from time, with Mellieha hitting back in injury time.

The results suits Mellieha who keep their three point lead over their direct rivals with three matches to go. For the Saints it was another disappointing afternoon as their slim salvation hopes keep diminishing game after game.

St Patrick did the early running with a Thomas Caruana shot saved by Gauci, and a Haruna Doda drive finishing well over the bar. After this initial good start by the Saints, mellieha started to get more into the picture with Sandro Costa Brasilino working hard in midfield.

On 24 minutes Mellieha’s Kevin Gauci shot slightly wide from the edge of the area. On 32 minutes St Patrick missed a good chance when Doda passed to Thomas Caruana whose fierce drive was blocked by the Mellieha custodian.

Three minutes from the break St Patrick took the lead when Thomas Caruana headed in a good cross from the left by Magro.

The second half started with the Saints again on the offensive with a Gordon Failla shot going over the bar. On 53 minutes Mellieha were back on level terms terms when William Borg headed in a Reuben Vela cross. St Patrick’s reaction was immediate with a Thomas Caruana shot missing the upright. On the hour Mellieha were reduced to ten players when Gianluca Calabretta was sent off for dissent by referee Gordon Barbara.

However ten minutes later even St Patrick were reduced to ten players when Edric Borg was shown the second yellow card following a nasty tackle on Reuben Vella.

In the last minutes Mellieha elected to defend this precious draw as the Saints pressed forward in search of the winning goal. On 89 minutes St Patrick took the lead in dramatic fashion when defender Matthew Fleri Soler slammed home following a melee in front of goal.

It was now Mellieha’s turn to push everything forward and on 92 minutes William Borg was tackled by Mark Pullicino with the referee Barbara awarding Mellieha the penalty. It was a right decision as Pullicino was late and dangerous in his tackle. From the penalty spot Ibrahim Tarek scored with a low shot to give Mellieha a precious draw.