El Bakhatoui penalties cancel Kaljevic’s brace

For the second time in four days, Balzan failed to control a two-goal lead, having to settle for a 2-2 draw with Hamrun Spartans at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.

Eager to bounce back from the dramatic 2-3 defeat to Birkirkara on Wednesday, Balzan managed to take a two-goal lead but two penalties enabled Hamrun Spartans to earn a point in a draw. The Spartans remain third but lie one point behind Floriana while Balzan join Gzira and Valletta in fifth place.

Balzan took the lead on 29 minutes when Aleksa Andrejic intercepted a pass by Karl Micallef and advanced on the right before serving Bojan Kaljevic who slotted the ball home.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Uros Ljubomirac advanced on the right before serving Bojan Kaljevic who placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.

Hamrun reduced the gap on 63 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Gary Camilleri handled the ball inside the area and from the penalty spot, Faissal El Bakhtaoui converted.

The Spartans had substitute Steve Borg, who was making his debut, sent off just five minutes after entering the field of play, after hitting an opponent.

On the 90th, Hamrun notched the equaliser when they were awarded another penalty after Ailton Soares was brought down inside the area by Zlatkovic and Faissal El Bakhtaoui duly converted.