Almaty Athletic 2 FC Miracle 2

Almaty went into this one knowing defeat would spell the end of their bid to retain their league title after early draws saw them trail FC Miracle by two points going into last night's game. In a fierce and largely fair contest, both sides shared the spoils after a keenly fought 2-2 draw which leaves Almaty still trailing Miracle. Nevertheless fans will have seen enough that they can be confident that once again Almaty will be in the shake up at the business end of the season.

Almaty's pre match tactics were thrown into disarray after a double no show from Fabio and Raphael, both of whom arrived after kick off after "traffic congestion". Sweetnam started between the sticks, Dawson at sweeper, Spratt at left back, Murphy on the right and O'Donovan, back from yet another injury lay off, in the centre. "C'mon gyz" Machado once again led the line up front, not doubt eager to add to his impressive goal tally. Jeffery couldn't shake off an ankle injury picked up in training and missed this one.

Even after the opening exchanges it was clear that this one was going to be a tight affair; robust tackling, space at a premium, that sort of thing. Half chances at both ends went a begging, nevertheless Almaty, with their slick passing game, appeared to hold the edge over their rather dour opponents. You know the way Poland play whenever they get to World Cup? Sort of like "how the fock did this lot ever score enough goals to qualify for a major tournament?" Well it seems they're all like that! That said they did a largely excellent job of it, working hard to deny Almaty the room to hurt them and belting the ball long and accurately whenever they got the chance.

And then a goal! A cross from the right was deflected away by "Stop gawking at my WAG" Dawson only to fall into the path of the oncoming Tomasz who rifled a shot into the bottom corner.

Almaty, undeterred, continued to play their game and were rewarded with an equaliser when Marco hammered home following a neat free kick move involving Alex "out of cotton wool" O'Donovan.

The sides were level for only a matter of minutes as Miracle hit back in bizarre and unfortunate circumstances. A shot was parried by Safehands and Spratt, trying to clear, only managed to hit Krzystof on the side of the head with the ball before bouncing into an unguarded goal. Oh for fu...

Almaty's half time tactics were disrupted as "That's my wife" Dawson was seen take extreme exception to comments made by an unnamed teammate about the level of sexiness displayed by the only WAG in attendance. Amidst the anarchy it was deemed that Almaty ought to "keep plugging away" because "it will come" - the equalizer I mean...

And it did! What a goal! Marco, for once dislodging Dariusz from his arse, broke free wide on the right before unleashing a scorching shot into the far corner - incredible goal really - as Gaffer said after the game "I wouldn't have scored that...even in a dream..."

Almaty continued to press looking for a winner and could have had it but for some sound shot stopping from Lucasz in the Miracle goal. That said Miracle nearly stole it at the death with two decent efforts, both saved well by Safehands, which ensured that the retention of the title remains in Almaty's own hands. Special mention to two stalwarts from last year: Alex "All the threes" O'Donovan and Billy "Looks a little bit like the lad from Divine Comedy but nothing comical in his display this evening it really was very solid" Murphy...