A penalty three minutes from time enabled Valletta to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with Santa Lucia at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.
Santa Lucia had managed to build a two-goal lead but Valletta hit back to score twice and deny Oliver Spiteri’s side a first win in over three months.
Making their debut for the Citizens were Miguel Angel Alba and Triston Caruana.
Valletta move alone in second place on 26 points, five behind leaders Floriana and one ahead of Gzira. The latter two have a game in hand.
Santa Lucia forged ahead on the 22nd minute when off a cross shot by Camilo del Castillo Escobar, Kyrian Nwoko headed the ball past Henry Bonello for an own goal..
Four minutes in the second half, Santa Lucia doubled the score when Diego Usuga Mendoza was brought down by goalkeeper Henry Bonello and from the penalty spot, Camilo del Castillo Escobar.
Substitute Bojan Kaljevic reduced the gap on 51 minutes after Gabriel Bohrer Mentz failed to anticipate the Montenegrin striker.
Steve Borg was sent off for Valletta after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless tackle.
However three minutes from time, they still managed to notch the equaliser when they were awarded a penalty after Lee Galea handled the ball inside the area and from the penalty spot, Mario Fontanella converted.
One minute in added time, Santa Lucia were also reduced to ten men after Jackson David Usuga Mendoza received a second yellow card.
SANTA LUCIA Ryan Caruana, Gabriel Bohrer Mentz, Kevin Correia, Jackson Usuga Mendoza, Luis Diego Mosquera Segura (78′ Neil Micallef), Kevin Ante Rosero, Jacob Walker, Jamie Zerafa, Camilo del Castillo Escobar, Lee Galea (88′ Daniel Agius), Rei Tachikawa (90+2′ Jamie Magri Magri).
Subs not used: Yandrick Cassar, Adam Magri Overend, Neil Spiteri, Omar Elouni.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri
Subs not used: Brian ChetcutiVALLETTA Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Kyrian Nwoko (46′ Bojan Kaljevic), Jean Borg, Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba (71′ Matteo Piciollo), Triston Caruana (77′ Kevin Tulimieri), Mario Fontanella.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Nicholas Pulis.
Coach: Darren Abdilla
Asst Coach: Gilbert AgiusReferee: Stefan Pace
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Christopher Francalanza
Fourth Official: Ishmael Barbara
Yellow Cards: Mendoza, Alba, Escobar, Borg, Bonello, Segura, Zerafa, Kaljevic
Red Cards: 63′ Steve Borg, 90+1′ David Jackson Usuga Mendoza
BOV Player of the Match: Camilo del Castillo Escobar