Hamrun Spartans proved that last week’s draw with leaders Valletta was no fluke. Yesterday they also held champions Birkirkara to a one-all draw, showing resilience yet again with a mixture of sound defending, good distribution and a slice of luck.

Birkirkara made heavy weather of a resolute Hamrun side and faded out after missing a penalty midway through the first half.

But substitute Rodolfo Kumbravicius cancelled out Hamrun’s early second half lead ten minutes from time to give the champions a point that at times looked beyond them.

Luckily for them, Valletta’s draw with Marsaxlokk in the second match, leaves them six points adrift, with the direct clash on the cards next Saturday.

While Hamrun welcomed back Gaetan Spiteri from suspension, Birkirkara were deprived of their playmaker Shaun Bajada for the same reason. Rowen Muscat was also missing and the Stripes gave a start to Ryan Scicluna in a defensive midfield role.

For all their ample possession, Birkirkara failed to create chances in the face of a well organised Hamrun defence. Birkirkra’s main threat came from the forays of Joseph Zerafa down the left, where Lee Agius failed to provide ample cover. But his crosses found Massimo Grima and Dragan Milovic dominant in the heart of the Hamrun defence.

Shots by Fenech and Galea from a distance failed to find the target.

On the quarter hour, Falzon ran in well for Chipev’s inviting cross but lacked the required coordination to beat keeper Fraser.

On the other end, Pulo resisted the challenge of two Hamrun defenders and shot low but keeper Borg stretched himself to save.

Midway through the half, Galea’s cross came off the jutting arm of Vukanic inside the area and after some hesitation, the referee awarded Birkirkara the penalty. But keeper Borg footed Babatunde’s shot from the spot into a corner with a plucky save.

Birkirkara failed to keep their momentum after that miss and hardly ever troubled the Spartans’ defence until halftime.

In fact Hamrun went into the second half in a more lively fashion. They made a tactical change, moving Shields wide on the right and Agius in the middle and advancing Spiteri. In no time, Chipev was clear, but face to face with Fraser, he saw the Birkirkara keeper turn his effort into a corner.

On 53 minutes Hamrun even forged ahead. Spiteri played the ball wide to Dene Shields on the right and the Scot coolly slotted the ball beneath the keeper’s body.

Birkirkara were rattled but managed to summon some effort after a double substitution on 63 minutes, putting in Kumbravicius and Vella. The former was immediately involved in his side’s three swift build-ups within 12 minutes. On a Lattes cross, Kumbravicius put his header wide but was unlucky to head a Zerafa cross against the post on 69 minutes.

Ten minutes later he did even better, slotting in Birkirkara’s equaliser from close range as the ball fell into his path on Fenech’s cross after the midfielder had won the challenge with Milovic from near the byeline.

Birkirkara took heart and started to mount some belated sustained pressure.

Five minutes from time, Kumbravicius should have won it for Birkirkara. Galea won a ball inside the area on the left and delivered a finely judged cross for Kumbravicius to head but keeper Borg was equal to the task and saved.

The Hamrun custodian also held out Fenech’s shot and Mangion headed away a Lattes effort as Birkirkara laid siege on Hamrun’s fort.

But the Spartans were not to be denied. A draw was a fair result.

Hamrun S: O. Borg, D. Milovic, M. Grima, J. Vukanic, D. Camilleri, R. Mangion, L. Agius, N. Chipev (R. Fenech), D. Falzon (M. Pereira), G. Spiteri, D. Shields

Coach: S. D’Amato

Birkirkara: M. Fraser, R. Scicluna, J. Zerafa, P. Borg, K. Pulo (T. Vella), A. Agius, P. Fenech, N. Vukanac, I. Babatunde (R. Kumbravicius), M. Galea, E. Lattes

Coach: P. Zammit

Referee: P. Caruana

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, M. Scerri

4th official: A. Arciola

Scorers: D. Shields 53, R. Kombravicius 79

Yellow cards: J. Vukanic, I. Babatunde, M. Galea

Player of the match: O. Borg (Hamrun S)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Zerafa 2. O. Borg 3. R. Mangion