Valletta dropped two important points as they were held in a 1-1 draw by bottom-placed Pieta’ Hotspurs at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.
The Citizens therefore missed the opportunity to join Gudja in seventh place to stay ninth on 22 points, one behind Balzan and two behind Gudja
The Hotspurs, on the other hand, earn a precious point which not puts them on level points with Santa Lucia, two behind Zebbug Rangers.
Pieta’ took the lead on the 22nd minute when Kian Leonardi, served by Takuma Yamaguchi, advanced upfield before hitting low opast goialkeeper Alessandro Guarnone.
Valletta were awarded a penalty three minutes from the end of the first half when new recruit Niltinho was brought down inside the area by Daniel Zerafa but Shaun Dimech’s effort from the penalty spot was neutralised by Reeves Cini.
But just before the end of the first half, Valletta were awarded another penalty after Ulrich N’Nomo was floored by Cini but this time, Brandon Paiber made no mistake to level matters.
Twelve minutes from time, the Citizens almost notched the winner when off a cross by N’Nomo, Ganiu Atanda Ogungbe, in an attempt to clear the ball into safety, headed the ball onto the upright.
