Zabbar St. Patrick and Naxxar Lions earned a point each in a highly-entertaining 3-3 draw in a match from the 360Sports Malta Premier Opening Round at the National Stadium on Sunday.
The two teams now join Melita on four points, one behind Balzan.
Naxxar managed to take the lead on 12 minutes when off a cross by Degran Jackson from the right, Edson Farias headed the ball home past goalkeeper Matthew Grech.
Zabbar equalised on the half hour when off an assist by Stefan Ilic from the left, Marcelo Santos controlled the ball before hitting low past goalkeeper Matthias Debono.
Twelve minutes in the second half, Naxxar regained the lead when off a Caxambu freekick from the right, the ball was deflected by a defender and Edson Farias headed home from close range.
Zabbar restored equilibrium on 70 minutes when Diogo Tavares received a through pass on the right and served substitute Sean Gatt who hit home from close range.
Four minutes from time, the Saints went 3-2 ahead with a great freekick from the left by Diogo Tavares which gave goalkeeper Debono no chance.
However, Zabbar were then reduced to ten men after Strahinja Jovancic was sent off for kicking an opponent and three minutes in added time, Matheus Taumaturgo was brought down inside the area by Zabbar goalkeeper Matthew Grech; the Lions were awarded a penalty and from the penalty spot, Caxambu beat substitute goalkeeper Luca Camilleri.
