Birkirkara dropped two precious points yesterday evening after conceding a late Forace goal which enabled Balzan to equalise.

The point earned still keeps the Stripes at the top, one ahead of Valletta who, however, have today’s match against Mosta in hand.

In one of the best matches so far this season, Balzan offered a serious challenge which confirmed that their recent results were absolutely no fluke.

It was the first time that Balzan had registered a positive result against Birkirkara. It was also their eighth consecutive positive result in this campaign.

Ivan Zammit’s boys twice came from behind to equalise against a side which, at first, appeared to be heading towards a comfortable win.

Missing from the Balzan line-up was the suspended Stefan Giglio, while Yessous Camilleri was unavailable as he is forming part of the Army team abroad.

For Birkirkara, Joselito and Shola Shodiya were again ruled out through injury while Rodrigo Perreira was returning to the side, coming on as a substitute after starting the match on the bench.

The first half was very entertaining with Birkirkara opening like a house on fire and deservedly taking the lead with Mifsud Triganza’s 100th goal in the Premier League. Balzan responded with a quick equaliser, but the Stripes came back to take the lead again just before the interval.

On the changeover, the Stripes might have had an edge in possession and were much more dangerous in front of goal, but never scored again as they were thwarted by an in form Tabone between the Balzan posts.

At the end, Balzan richly deserved the point they earned which should serve them in good stead as they continue climbing up the table.

The Stripes almost scored in the first minute. From a Camenzuli corner, Zach Muscat’s header was cleared from over the line by Garcia Conceicao.

In the fifth minute, from another corner by Camenzuli, Z. Muscat headed backwards for Jhonnattan whose semi rovesciata went just over.

Six minutes later, Garcia Conceicao missed his clearance but Camenzuli made a mess of his conclusion with only Tabone to beat.

Birkirkara deservedly opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Jhonnattan went past his direct opponent on the right and crossed low for Mifsud Triganza to control the ball before firing it into the top corner – it deserved to be his 100th Premier League goal.

Balzan equalised in their first attack on 18 minutes. Calcado’s shot was only partially saved by Gauci and Elton da Silva was on hand to hit home into an empty net.

At the other end, Tabone came to Balzan’s rescue turning to corner a Mifsud Triganza effort. Soon after, Jhonnattan was unlucky to see his fine freekick hitting the post and rebounding to corner off the goalie’s back.

Birkirkara regained the lead in the 45th minute. It was Zach Muscat who scored with a strong header off a Jhonnattan cornerkick to put his side ahead at the interval.

At the start of the second half, Balzan went close through Deyanov’s 25 metre shot that just missed the upright.

Birkirkara replied on the 58th minute with a Mifsud Triganza header from close in going over the bar. Moments later, Jhonnattan set Camenzuli in the area, but with Tabone rushing out of his charge, the Stripes man shot over the bar.

Calcado then had a freekick hitting the side rigging. At the other end, Tabone had to turn to corner a Jhonnattan effort.

On 64 minutes, Deyanov’s effort from the edge of the area went over.

After 80 minutes, Tabone kept Balzan in the match with a splendid save off a Jhonnattan freekick and three minutes later, Calcado’s freekick glanced over the post.

Balzan insisted and were rewarded with a splendid goal on the 87th minute. It was Pace who crossed perfectly for Rene Forace to score a beauty with a first timer that left Gauci staring.

Birkirkara: R. Gauci, N. Vukanac, A. Mendoza, Jhonnattan da Conceicao, R. Camenzuli (E. Herrera), R. Muscat, J. Zerafa, G. Sciberras (R. Perreira), P. Fenech, Z. Muscat, JP Mifsud Triganza (R. Scicluna).

Balzan: F. Tabone, JD Borg (J. Francica), R. Forace, R. Garcia Conceicao, J. Pace, M. Mendy, B. Bondin (M. Licari), D. Grima, P. dos Santos Calcado, M. Deyanov (C. Caruana), E. Da Silva.

Referee: F. Zammit

Asst refs: K. Borg, L. Portelli

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: J. Mifsud Triganza, E. da Silva, Z. Muscat,

Yellow cards: M. Mendy, P. Calcado, R. Muscat, G. Sciberras, C. Caruana, R. Perreira, J. Francica

Player of the match: Jhonnattan

TMI Top 3: 1. JP Mifsud Triganza; 2. Jhonnattan; 3. J. Pace

Attendance: 521