Żabbar St Patrick and Tarxien Rainbows play out six-goal thriller at Gozo Stadium

Both sides, who are sitting in the penultimate place in the standings, needed the three points to move out of the relegation zone but could not prevail as they remain locked on 11 points, just two behind third from bottom Hibernians.

It was Żabbar who took the ground running and surged ahead after five minutes when Nicholas Agius pushed forward and found Mario Fontanella who kept his poise to beat goalkeeper Miguel Spiteri.

Four minutes later, Tarxien were awarded a penalty when Agius brought down Nhaysson inside the area but from the spot Nhaysson saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Ignacio Colombo.

Żabbar doubled their lead three minutes from the break when referee Eman Agius was asked to use the Football Video Support to review Panic’s tackle on Brian Gambarte inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Fontanella stepped up and made it 2-0.

Tarxien refused to throw in the towel and just before the half-time interval Marko Musulin pulled a goal back with a shot from close in.

The goal revitalised the Rainbows, who restored parity on 63 minutes through Patrick Schmidt who beat Colombo from routine distance.

Żabbar were back in front when Zean Leonardi picked up a short rebound and hit a thumping drive that gave no chance Spiteri.

But Tarxien rescued a point when they made it 3-3 on 81 minutes, with Nhaysson anticipating his marker to fire home.