Santa Lucia suffered a shock 1-2 defeat to relegated side Sliema Wanderers in a match from the BOV Premier League Play-Out final round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.
In fact, with one round of matches to go, Santa Lucia share the second place from bottom with Balzan on 27 points. Next weekend, Balzan face Sliema and Santa Lucia take on Valletta.
Santa Lucia held the initiative during the first half, creating several goal-scoring opportunities but were denied by the fine saves by goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi. However Sliema were unlucky not to take the lead on the 8th minute with a Danny Holla freekick which hit the crossbar.
Four minutes in the second half, the Wanderers managed to break the deadlock when off a cross by Jake Engerer from the right, Valmir Berisha hit home past goalkeeper Justin Haber.
Sliema doubled the score on the 72nd minute when off a swift counter-attack, Valmir Berisha returned the complement to Jake Engerer who hit the ball past Haber.
Six minutes later, Santa Lucia pulled one back when they were awarded a penalty after Raffaele Schiavi handled the ball inside the area and from the penalty spot, Alan da Silva Souza converted.
