Sliema Wanderers were held in a third consecutive draw as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with St. Andrews at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.
A third consecutive draw which puts them on level points with Balzan and Birkirkara although the Stripes have a game in hand. However this result leaves them five points behind fourth-placed Ħamrun Spartans.
For St. Andrews, this was a positive result after suffering back-to-back defeats to Tarxien and Ħamrun and now move just one point behind eighth-placed Tarxien.
Sliema had a perfect start taking the lead on the 4th minute when off a corner from the right, Younes Marzouk’s conclusion was deflected by Travis Blagrove past goalkeeper Calleja Cremona for an own goal.
St. Andrews equalised on the 63rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Matthew Woo Ling was floored by Jonathan Pearson inside the area and from the penalty spot, Martin Davis beat goalkeeper Jake Galea.
SLIEMA Jake Galea, Matias Muchardi (85′ Omar Elouni), Kurt Shaw, Jonathan Pearson, John Mintoff (62′ Kilian Amehi), Ignacio Varela (72′ Ryan Fenech), Nii Nortey Ashong, Michele Sansone, Claudio Pani, Stefano Bianciardi, Younes Marzouk.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Gary Muscat, Peter Xuereb, Stefan Cassar.
Coach: Ivan WoodsST. ANDREWS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Alex Satariano, Ricardo Martin, Travis Blagrove, Joseph Farrugia, Kurt Magro, Jacob Walker (85′
Luke Sciberras), Martin Davis, Kemmu Degran Jackson, Matthew Woo Ling (85′
Aidan Friggieri)
Subs not used: Sebastian Spiteri, Malcolm Vella Vidal, Jordan Kelly, Jamie Sixsmith, Dejan Debono.
Coach: Johann ZammitReferee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Ishmael Barbara
Yellow Cards: Walker, Marzouk, Martin, Pani, Jackson, Magro
BOV Player of the Match: Younes MarzoukAttendance: