Bottom placed Mqabba were on the brink of registering a rare, albeit useless, win yesterday, but Msida struck on the 90th minute to equalise.

It was perhaps one of Mqabba's best matches this season and it would have been another story, perhaps, had Msida goalie Camilleri not thwarted them on several occasions during the first half.

With the relegation issue decided, this match had absolutely no interest and did not attract more than 100 spectators at the start. Yet, the two sides must be commended for putting in their normal effort, even displaying some good football in the process.

Msida coach Patrick Curmi could afford to leave established foreigners Doding Priso and Pedro dos Santos Calcado on the reserves bench, thus giving a chance to some untried players. The two, however, made an appearance as substitutes in the second half.

Mqabba had the better start and on five minutes, Mauro Bonnici's grounder did not surprise Matthew Camilleri.

Five minutes later, Camilleri was extended to the limit to save another low shot from Pereira.

When Msida's Dos Santos went down in the area in a tackle with Psaila, the Saints' appeals for a penalty went unheeded by the official, close to the action.

Mqabba deservedly took the lead on 22 minutes, when Marcelo Pereira converted a penalty awarded after Briffa was upended in the area by Spiteri.

Immediately after, at the other end, Msida levelled with a beautiful goal. From a Lyden Micallef cross, Gilbert Camilleri hit home first time, giving Calleja no chance.

On the 25th minute, Camilleri had to dive sideways to turn to corner a good Pereira effort.

Mqabba again took the lead on 43 minutes when Spiteri's clearance was fumbled by goalie Camilleri and Pereira had all the space and time to conclude in an empty net.

In the second half, Msida appeared to be more determined as they searched for a second equaliser. Calleja saved shots from Camilleri and Micallef. Later the same Micallef had a shot blocked by an Mqabba defender as the ball was on its way into the net.

At the other end, on the 70th minute, it was again Pereira who tested substitute goalie Vella, but the goalie turned to corner.

Msida went close to scoring an equaliser on 73 minutes through a Doding freekick which went just over.

Msida maintained their pressure and Doding was foiled by a timely intervention by Calleja.

It was in the 90th minute that Msida finally equalised thanks to a fine free kick from Tyrone Farrugia.

Pereira could have obtained his hat-trick and the winner for Mqabba with the last shot of the match in injury time, but he skied the ball from an ideal position.

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Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, A. Busuttil, I. Donizette Nogueira (E. Navarro), MA Psaila, M. Briffa, F. Silva (J. Fenech), M. Pereira, M. Cocks, C. Gatt Baldacchino, R. Briffa.

Msida SJ: M. Camilleri (J. Vella), P. Scriha, K. Spiteri, S. Vella, C. Spiteri, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, L. Mizzi (P. Doding) , L. Micallef, G. Camilleri (P. dos Santos Calcado), G. dos Santos.

Referee: M. Borg. Asst refs: M. Debono, D. Mercieca; 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: M. Pereira 2 (one pen), G. Camilleri, T. Farrugia

Yellow cards: T. Farrugia, M. Cocks, MA Psaila

Player of the match: M. Pereira (Mqabba)

TMI top three: 1. M. Pereira; 2. M. Briffa; 3. S. Vella