A goal four minutes in added time enabled Gzira United to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw with Sliema Wanderers in a match from the Opening Round of the 360Sports Malta Premier at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues take sole leadership and the Maroons join Birkirkara in second place but the Stripes have a game in hand.
Gzira had four changes from the team which defeated Melita last week as goalkeeper Justin Haber, Andrew Borg, Farid Romero and Brooklyn Borg replaced Darijan Zarkov, Jurgen Pisani, Faysal Chouaib and the suspended Joseph Minala. Sliema, on the other hand, had an unchanged side from the team which defeated Marsaxlokk.
Sliema Wanderers forged ahead two minutes from the end of the first half when off a cross by Adam Magri Overand from the right, Wescley flicked the ball in the direction of Vito Plut who slotted past Haber from close range.
Thirteen minutes in the second half, the Wanderers were unlucky not to double the score with Wescley hitting the upright with a header.
The Maroons levelled matters on 63 minutes. Alex da Paixao entered the area from the left, only to be brought down by Murilo Freire, with substitute Kevin Tulimieri also being pushed down in the process; referee Alex Johnson ordered a penalty and from the penalty spot, Gabriel Bohrer Mentz converted.
Sliema regained the lead on 74. Simon Zibo released Vito Plut on the right and the latter was quick to anticipate Haber with a perfect lob from inside the area.
Two minutes from time, Gzira almost levelled matters with a curling shot by Kevin Tulimieri hitting the upright.
However, five minutes in added time, Thaylor delivered a cross from the right, Pisani headed the ball down and Chouaib served Luis Riascos who hit home from close range.