Please can anyone help? 59 focus PETROL losing power

[Linesro21]

Hi, i'm looking for a bit of help please. I was driving my 59 plate ford focus 1.6 to work this morning and just got on to the motorway, I was just about to overtake a car when the car started to pull back power, I managed to do 50mph till services then I pulled off, on the dash I had 'engine malfunctioning ' message. I turned engine off waited a few minutes & started engine again & message was gone & car drove fine. 
On my way home from work the car was fine till I was about 20 mins in to my journey when the same message flashed up & I started losing power only this time I had to pull over there & then as I couldn't even get to 30mph. 
I would be very grateful for any help please, all I can seem to find is this happening to diesel cars.

[Ahbefive]

When was it last serviced? I'd check the plugs and leads 1st.

[brrapp]

Sounds like it's going into limp mode, as it's detected a fault. Could be any of hundreds of faults. Easiest thing to do is get it connected to a diagnostic reader. You could check all the obvious stuff but you could spend ages doing it and not find the answer.

[E-bmw]

As above, it could be one of MANY things, get the codes read as a starting point.

Likely candidates could be, but not limited to:
Engine sensor issues.
Fuel/fuel supply issues.
Engine electrical problems.
Exhaust issues.
Combustion air issues.

The above are general titles rather than specific as each one breaks down into several others.

Also as above, when was it last serviced/MOTd & what is the history of any work on the car.

[Linesro21]

Thank you for your quick replies, i'm not sure when it's last service was, I only brought it in January and came with a full mot. Will look into getting a service done asap.
Thanks again

[E-bmw]

A service may be money badly spent & unnecessary, although peace of mind might be good.

Get the codes read to find out what the car thinks the fault is first.

[227bhp]

Brim the tank and see if it still does it.

[Ahbefive]

I suggested check the plugs and leads as my Mrs had very similar symptoms and it was a case of the car not bring services for ages and onr of the spark plugs has the head corrode off.

As suggested, getting the codes read is a good start but checking plugs and leads is free whereas diagnostics generally aren't.