Melita joined rivals St. Andrews at the top of the BOV First Division table following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Gudja United on Friday.

Gudja seemed heading for victory after Adrian Carabott put them ahead on 24 minutes and Matthew Groves doubled the score twelve minutes from time. However Melita pulled one back on 83 minutes thanks to George Gribbon and Rudi Alhinho notched the equaliser in stoppage time.

Fgura United and St. George’s collected precious points thanks to wins in direct clashes.

Fgura defeated ten-man Rabat Ajax 2-1. An own goal by Dylan Falzon put Fgura ahead four minutes from the end of the first half and Iro Curmi doubled the score just past the hour. David Azzopardi pulled one back ten minutes from time before captain Dylan Falzon was sent off for the Magpies.

St. George’s registered a fine 5-1 win over Zurrieq. Mark Tanti put the Saints ahead after just three minutes but Joseph JoJo Ogunuppe equalised on 22 minutes. Ita Francis restored the lead on the half-hour. Larson Mallia made it 3-1 on 63 minutes, Mark Tanti 4-1 on the 79th and Olsen Giordano sealed the issue with a fifth goal two minutes in added time.

St. Andrews and Melita lead the way with 19 points, followed by Pembroke on 17, Gudja 16, Vittoriosa and Lija 15, Mqabba, St. George’s and Fgura 13, Gzira and Msida 10, Zurrieq 9, Rabat 8 and Birzebbuga 1.