Valletta dropped two points in their bid to stay close to leaders Birkirkara as they were held in a goalless draw by Sliema Wanderers.

The two teams disappointed in a clash which lacked goal-mouth action. In fact, neither side deserved to take home the three points.

Valletta had four changes from the team which defeated Sliema as Pietro Marino, Steve Borg, Jonathan Caruana and Ryan Fenech replaced Yenz Cini, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and the injured Luke Dimech and Oscar Reyes Sanchez. Sliema, on the other hand, had Bosnian striker Admir Vladavic making his debut.

The Citizens held the initiative during the first half wioth the best opportunity occurring on the 29th with a freekick by Abdelkarim Nafti cleared off the goal line by Henry Bonello. Just before half-time, Hamza Barry concluded a good move by rounding two defenders before trying his luck with a low shot which was blocked by Bonello.

Ten minutes in the second half, a rising shot by Admir Vladavic was neutralised by Marino. On the 79th, Ryan Fenech headed the ball into the direction of Denni whose header ended just wide. Two minutes later, Bonello blocked a Shaun Bajada effort.

VALLETTA Pietro Marino, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Edmond Agius, Ryan Fenech, Roderick Briffa, Hamza Barry (79′ Ian Zammit), Shaun Bajada, Denni Rocha dos Santos, Jason Lee Vandelannoite (46′ Aziz Corr Nyang), Abdelkarim Nafti (71′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza).
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Ian Azzopardi, Isaac McCarthy, Llywelyn Cremona.
Coach: Mark Miller

SLIEMA Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Admir Vladavic, Stanley Ohawuchi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Trevor Cilia (87′ Jacob Borg), Matias Muchardi (87′ Abubakar Bello-Osagie), Paltemio Barbetti, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Axl Xuereb, Ivan Woods, Gabriel Aquilina, Beppe Muscat.
Coach: Alfonso Greco

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Peter Abela
Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: R. Briffa, M. Scerri, S. Bianciardi, H. Barry, R. Fenech, Barbetti
BOV Player of the Match: Admir Vladavic