A goal on the 90th minute by Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos enabled Pietà Hotspurs to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Sliema Wanderers at the Hibernians Stadium.
The Blues were disappointed to drop two important points in the battle for a place in the UEFA Europa League.
Kyle Cesare and Orosco Anonam were awarded a place in the starting line-up for Pietà as Claudio Frances was suspended and Charles Newuche was ruled out injured. The Wanderers, on the other hand, had no changes from the team which defeated Tarxien.
The Wanderers went close to taking the lead on 21 minutes with a freekick by Pedrinho tipped into a corner by Montfort on the 21st.
Sliema forged ahead five minutes from the end of the first half when Bocar Djumo concluded a solo effort in which he dribbled three players, entered the penalty area and hit low past Miguel Montfort.
The Hotspurs went close with a low shot by Luke Micallef and a cross shot by Gabriel which were both neutralised by Glenn Zammit.
Pietà equalised on the 90th when off a corner by Jurgen Pisani, Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos’ header gave goalkeeper Glenn Zammit no chance.
PIETÀ Miguel Montfort, Karl Micallef, Christian Grech (87’ Ayrton Mizzi), Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos, Jurgen Pisani, Orosco Ndubisi Anonam, Cain Attard (64’ Dylan Agius), Rafael Rodrigues da Silva, Luke Emmanuel Micallef, Kyle Cesare, Gabriel Joao da Silva (85’ Zsolt Mark Kecskes).
Subs not used: David Cassar, Christian Degabriele, Jordie Delia, Josuel Spiteri.
Coach: Noel ColeiroSLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Andrea Scozzese (62’ Joseph Borg), John Mintoff (42’ Aidan Jake Friggieri), Mark Scerri, Andrea Pisanu (58’ Clifford Gatt Baldacchino), Marko Potezica, Trevor Cilia, Pedro Santos Calcado, Djumo Bocar, Beppe Muscat
Subs: Sam Bartolo, Luca Martinelli, Mateus Ribeiro dos Santos, Michael Mifsud.
Coach: Stephen AzzopardiReferee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Edward Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Adrian Azzopardi, Glen Tonna
Fourth Official: Alan Camilleri
Yellow cards: Pisanu, Anonam, Attard, Djumo
Scorers: 40’ Djumo Bocar, 90’ Leonardo Fortunato Dos Santos
BOV Player of the Match: Bocar Djumo
Floriana came back from one goal down to beat Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium to claim three important points which enable them to stay in fourth place.
For the Rainbows, this was the third consecutive defeat which leaves them in deep trouble as they stay second from bottom.
Tarxien had three changes from the team which lost to Sliema as Sean Mintoff, Alex Cini and Jose Angel replaced Jonathan Debono, Ryan Sammut and Obinna Ajoku. Manolito Micallef and the returning Amadou Samb were awarded a place in the starting line-up as they replaced Sacha Borg and Matteo Piciollo.
Tarxien took the lead on 33 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Douglas Cobo was adjudged to foul Alex Cini inside the area and from the penalty spot, Triston Caruana made no mistake.
Two minutes later, Floriana equalised when off a throw-in, Amadou Samb’s shot was deflected by Manuel Bonaquue Acevedo past goalkeeper Sean Mintoff for an own goal.
Five minutes in the second half, Matthew Calleja Cremona came to the rescue for the Greens turning into a corner a well-taken freekick by Jose Angel. Mouhamed Soly was then unlucky to hit the upright when served by Manuel Bonaque from the left.
Seven minutes from time, Amadou Samb notched the winner when following a good move by Vito Plut, he tapped the ball home from close range.
Two minutes in added time, Mouhamed Soly was sent off for Tarxien following an argument with an opponent.
TARXIEN Sean Mintoff, Owen Bugeja, Triston Caruana, Firas Aboulezz (89′ Kane Farrugia), Eduardo Vallecillo Casado, Jose Angel Godar Pereira, Carlos Hevia Menendez, Ishmael Grech, Alexander Cini, Mouhamed Soly, Manuel Bonaque Acevedo (85′ Jorge Yepes Roda).
Subs not used: Jonathan Debono, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana, Nigel Vella, Matthew Tabone.
Coach: Clive MizziFLORIANA Matthew Calleja Cremona, Douglas Felipe Moreira Cobo, Marcelina Emerson, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg (80′ Giovanni Galea), Vito Plut, Conor Borg, Manuel Briffa, Amadou Samb, Gary Muir (53′ Igor Coronado), Manolito Micallef (75′ Brooke Farrugia).
Subs not used: Tyrone Gauci, Darrel Baldacchino, Luke Micallef, Daniel Agius.
Coach: Giovanni TedescoReferee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Bugeja, Hevia, Clyde Borg, Jose Angel, Micallef, Vallecillo
Scorers: 33′ Triston Caruana; 35′ own goal Manuel Bonaque
BOV Player of the Match: Alex Cini