Pietà Hotspurs 1
Fortunato 89;
Sliema Wanderers 1
Bocar 39;
Pietà Hotspurs punished Sliema Wanderers’ casual approach in the second half to grab an unlikely point in a drab encounter at Corradino.
The Wanderers had looked on their way to a third successive victory when Djumo Bocar transformed their edge into a one-goal lead with an excellent opener.
But on the restart, complacency seemed to have crept inside Sliema’s game as they looked short in motivation to grab a second ‘killer’ goal. And that proved fatal as the Hotspurs rallied to take a valuable point when Leonardo Fortunato headed home the equaliser a minute from time.
Thus, the Wanderers lost a good chance to step up their bid for a top-four finish as they now trail Floriana and Balzan by four points while Pietà moved out of the drop zone on 12 points.
Sliema coach Stephen Azzo-pardi fielded the same starting XI that overcame Tarxien Rainbows last week.
Pietà, however, were forced to make do without three overseas players as Argentine forward Claudio Frances was serving a one-match ban while Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Costa and Nigerian forward Charles Newuche both failed to recover from injuries.
Kyle Cesare was given the nod to start in midfield with Luke Micallef taking the central striker’s role.
As expected, it was Sliema who made all the early running but for all their possession they rarely threatened the Hotspurs’ goal with their only opportunity coming on 20 minutes when from a free-kick, Pedrinho’s swerving shot was pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Miguel Montfort.
The match remained a scrappy affair with the Wanderers struggling to break down the Hotspurs’ defence.
In fact, it had to be a moment of genius from Bocar to put Sliema ahead.
Six minutes from the break, the Portuguese forward took possession in midfield and embarked on a surging run that took him past two defenders before beating Montfort with a low drive.
The Hotspurs needed to step up their game to get back into contention and on 56 minutes they finally had an effort on goal but Micallef’s effort was easily dealt with by Glenn Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper.
Pietà had another opportunity when Gabriel’s dipping cross was punched away by Zammit into the path of Christian Grech whose effort was blocked by the well-positioned Beppe Muscat.
At the other end, Cilia’s shot was neutralised by Montfort.
Pietà continued to hold the initiative but looked short in ideas, mostly in attack, with the Wanderers easily administering their lead.
However, when the Blues thought they had done just enough to hold on for the win the Hotspurs struck.
Pietà were awarded a corner on 89 minutes and Pisani’s delivery reached Fortunato who sent a powerful header past Zammit for a last-gasp equaliser.
Pietà Hotspurs
M. Montfort-6, K. Micallef-5, C. Grech-6, L. Fortunato-7, J. Pisani-6, O. Anonam-5.5, C. Attard-5 (63 D. Agius-5), R. Rodrigues-7.5, L. Micallef-5, K. Cesare-5, Gabriel-5 (84 Z. Kecskes).
Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, A. Muscat-5.5, A. Scozzese-6 (61 J. Borg-5), J. Mintoff-5 (41 A. Friggieri-6), M. Scerri-6.5, A. Pisanu-5.5 (57 C. Gatt Baldacchino-6), M. Potezica-7, T. Cilia-6, Pedrinho-5.5, D. Bocar-6.5, B. Muscat-5.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Pisanu, Anonam, Attard, Bocar.
BOV player of the match: Djumo Bocar (Sliema Wanderers).