Birkirkara failed to catch up with leaders Hibernians, who on Saturday dropped their first points of the season, when they could only draw with Gzira United in a tight encounter.

It was a hard nut to crack for the Stripes, with Gzira still fresh from their victory against valletta in their last outing.

The match was decided by two goals in a three-minute burst near the end of the first half.

All in all it was a fair result, a result which leaves Birkirkara in second place, with the Maroons losing an opportunity to close the gap with the top teams.

Gzira had the first opportunity of the match after ten minutes with Nikolai Muscat exchanging the ball with Jefferson before testing Fernandes.

On 26 minutes Birkirkara’s first attempt with Macedo testing Curmi. Sixty seconds later another Stripes’ attempt with Montebello’s shot blocked by Curmi.

On 34 minutes Birkirkara broke the deadlock when Attard crossed towards Falcone who scored with a low shot.

But three minutes later Gzira levelled matters with a Yuri Messias great run finished off in style.

On the resumption a Luke Montebello shot was well saved by Curmi and five minutes later Gzira went close with a Messias effort cleared off the goal line.

On 67 minutes Birkirkara were rather unlucky when an Aguirre freekick smashed againt the upright.

In the final minutes Gzira went close with a Jefferson effort and a messias freekick, both slightly missing the target. 

Photo Domenic Aquilina