Like Melita in the first match, Rabat Ajax missed a golden opportunity to move on top of the table when they could only obtain a scoreless draw against Birzebbuga in a drab affair.

Rabat disappointed yesterday as they could not come to grips with a well organised Birzebbuga side. The Blues were the better team for long stretches and had the best chances in the first half, in which they could have taken the lead with some luck.

For both Rabat and Birzebbuga this was their first draw of the season.

Birzebbuga were the better side in the first half as they had the better chances, even hitting the post and also having a ball cleared off the goal line.

After only two minutes mead Mifsud shot wide and the same player blasted over the bar following a good Celeste move. On 15 minutes a Kevin Borg shot beat the Rabat goalkeeper but Rabat defender Christian Muscat saved on the goal line, with the Birzebbuga players appealing for a penalty claiming that Muscat handled the ball.

Rabat hit back with a Justin Felice angled shot and with a long distance effort from David Azzopardi that was saved by Ivan Casha.

Seven minutes from the break Birzebbuga went close again when a Celeste cross was somehow cleared by Christian Muscat with his clearance hitting the base of the upright.

On the resumption Birzebbuga went close again with a Kevin Borg deflected shot going inches wide. Rabat had two good scoring opportunities both created and finished by David Azzopardi. In his first attempt, his shot left much to be desired, and on 54 minutes his shot was well saved by Ivan Casha. On the hour Marev crossed towards Celeste who headed slightly wide.

In the last fifteen minutes of the game Rabat were more determined, but Birzebbuga were menacing with substitute Onuta keeping the Ajax defence on the alert.

Rabat A S. Mintoff, N. Caruana, C. Schembri, J. Felice (R. Micallef), A. Smeir, A. Rustemi, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, W. Caushi, Y. Cauchi (J. Cornforth), D. Azzopardi

Birzebbuga I. Casha, K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, F. Schneider, D. Baldacchino, D. Milovic, G. Tanti, M. Mifsud (L. Grima), K. Borg (M. Sciortino), R. Celeste, B. Marev (B. Onuta)

Referee Sandro Spiteri