Birkirkara dropped their first points in the BOV Premier League as they could only manage to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Gudja United at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The Stripes therefore fall two points behind leaders Hamrun Spartans with Gudja United in third place trailing by another two points.
Birkirkara coach Giovanni Tedesco opted for two changes as Alessandro Coppola and Ryan Scicluna replaced Diego Pires dall’Oca and the suspended Osvaldo Iorio. On the other hand, Gudja coach Andrea Agostinelli named an unchanged side following their win over Santa Lucia.
Gudja had a perfect start, taking the lead after just one minute when off a corner from the left, Vito Plut hit the upright with a header, Neil Micallef had a shot blocked off the goal line by Yannick Yankam and off the rebound, Karl Micallef placed the ball at the back of the net.
Birkirkara levelled matters nine minutes from time when off a corner by substitute Neil Micallef, Yannick Yankam headed home past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.
Gudja were unlucky not to regain the lead on the 83rd when Neil Tabone rounded a defender and tried his luck with a rising shot which hit the crossbar.