In the opening game of the 12th round, Rabotnichki managed to snatch a point against Metalurg by scoring a late equalizer even after it went down to 10 players minutes earlier.
Metalurg took the road lead early in the 13th minute when left-back Blagoja Ljamchevski converted a penalty after the Rabotnichki keeper was called for a foul inside the area. Metalurg maintained its narrow lead and then its odds looked even better in the 73rd minute when Rabotnichki defensive midfielder Muhamed Huseini was shown his second yellow card of the game, leading to a red card.
However, ten minutes later, youngster Demir Imeri celebrated an early birthday present by netting the equalizer for Rabotnichki. Imeri turns 18 on Sunday, so he gave himself a good present with a goal a day earlier.
Metalurg remained the lone unbeaten side of the season with four wins and eight draws. They are is first place with 20 points, although Vardar can overtake them tomorrow if the defending league champions can beat Makedonija Gjorche Petrov on the road. Vardar has 18 points heading into Sunday’s game. The Makedonija GP – Vardar game along with another four games will complete the 12th round tomorrow.
Rabotnichki – Metalurg 1:1 (0:1)
83′ Demir Imeri – 12′ (pen) Blagoja Ljamchevski