SLIEMA WANDERERS-3; BALZAN-3
Balzan hit back from 3-1 down to rescue a point after a 3-3 draw with Sliema Wanderers but the result will not have pleased the Reds as they have are now five points behind Valletta who have a game in hand.
A tense second half produced five goals and a red card, for Sliema's Njongo Priso, but the Blues dug in in the final 10 minutes to hold on to the point as Balzan pressed for a winner.
Balzan created the better chances in the first half but it was Sliema who took the lead four minutes from half-time.
In a free-kick action, Peter Xuereb's effort was blocked by Balzan defender Elkin Serrano Valero, Njongo Priso's follow-on shot was saved by goalkeeper Christian Cassar but Jean Paul Farrugia made no mistake from the rebound.
Earlier, Alfred Effiong fired wide from Alan Da Silva Souza's low cross and Pedrinho had two attempts going wide.
Balzan levelled matters three minutes into the second half with Luke Dimech, who had just replaced Stefano Bianciardi, turned the ball into his own net as he tried to push the ball away from the advancing Da Silva Souza.
The equaliser should have bolstered but instead it was Sliema who regained the lead thanks to a fine goal from Farrugia who advanced after collecting a long pass and beat Cassar with a curling shot.
Balzan found themselves two goals down on the hour as Denni's dipping free-kick, from an acute angle, flew above a host of players and into the far corner to give Sliema a 3-1 lead.
Barely three minutes passed and Balzan revived their hopes. Aleksandar Vujacic, who had just replaced Pedrinho, beat Zammit with a backheader.
The excitement grew as the two teams attacked. Priso should have restored Sliema's two-goal lead but hit wide after being set up by Denni.
With 12 minutes left, Balzan made it 3-3 thanks to Lydon Micallef who wrong-footed his marker in the box before firing a shot that took a deflection on its way into the net.
Sliema's woes increases two minutes later as Priso, who was cautioned for protests, for remarks he made towards referee Zammit, was sent off.
The tension grew with Denni irking Balzan as he leaned on the grounded Grioli after the latter had been fouled. This led to a bout of pushing and shoving but calm was soon restored.
Balzan's efforts to make their numerical advantage count were repelled by Sliema who held out for the point.
Farrugia, the Sliema striker, was named BOV player of the match.