Sliema Wanderers 1
Msida St Joseph 1

A last-gasp goal from Msida defender Daniel Theuma prevented Sliema Wanderers from notching up their ninth victory of the season as the Premier League leaders had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The champions had looked well on their way to increasing their lead at the top of the table to eight points as, with a few minutes of the game left, they were 1-0 up thanks to Rupert Mangion's strike on the half hour.

However, after ends were changed, the Wanderers failed to maintain their momentum, electing to administer their one-goal advantage instead of trying to apply the killer touch with a second goal. This proved to be their downfall.

As the minutes ticked away, Msida grew in stature and forced the champions to defend for long stretches. Sliema looked to have survived Msida's late charge when the woodwork and some sloppy finishing from the Saints kept the 1-0 scoreline intact. Yet, in time added on, Msida's efforts were finally rewarded when Theuma headed home from a Dino Cachia corner-kick to keep the Saints firmly on course for a Championship Pool berth.

Sliema, on the other hand, still boast a six-point buffer at the top of the standings after their nearest rivals Valletta and Birkirkara both failed to win their matches on Saturday.

Edward Aquilina, the Sliema coach, was again forced to make do without midfielder Stefan Giglio and striker Adrian Mifsud, both injured, while Danilo Doncic, also not fully fit, was named among the substitutes. Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji was rested with veteran Ernest Barry given the task of defending the Wanderers' goal.

Msida were without the suspended Clint Micallef and injured midfielder Kevin Sammut but otherwise Mario Petrone had no other selection worries.

Sliema created the first goalscoring opportunity after eight minutes when Joseph Farrugia unsettled his marker with some delightful footwork before unleashing a powerful shot that was blocked by Omar Borg, the Msida goalkeeper.

Msida responded after 15 minutes when Porceddu served Daniel Nwoke who quickly squared the ball towards Johann Zammit but Kris Laferla slid in to block as the former Marsaxlokk forward was about to shoot.

Sliema broke the stalemate on the half hour from a well-constructed move. Orosco Anonam ably turned past his marker before lobbing the ball towards Joe Brincat who quickly flicked it on for Mangion to score.

Msida suffered another blow a minute later when Zammit had to abandon the match due to injury. His place was taken by Jason Galea.

Nine minutes from the break, Brincat almost made it 2-0 but his curling free-kick was kept out by Borg.

In the 54th minute, Anonam weaved his way past three defenders but his cross was not met by substitute Doncic, who replaced Mangion at the start of the second half.

The Nigerian striker was unlucky not to double his team's lead in the 58th minute when leaping onto a Noel Turner cross from the right but his header smashed the crossbar.

In the 68th minute, Msida came close to an equaliser when Nwoke served Porceddu in the area but the Italian's shot was turned away for a corner by Brian Said, the Sliema defender.

Sliema were now confined in their own half as Msida raised their attacking tempo but poor passing in the final third of the pitch hampered their chances of levelling matters.

Nine minutes from time, Charles Sciberras tried his luck with a long-range shot that finished wide.

Msida were now pressing forward with more intent and in the 83rd minute, it was the woodwork that denied them an equaliser when Porceddu nodded the ball towards Theuma who saw his attempt coming off the post.

A minute later Porceddu was again the architect of a dangerous move but his low cross-shot was missed by Nwoke in front of goal.

It was all Msida now as Sliema were trying desperately to hang on to their lead. Aquilina tried to soften his side's problems in dealing with their opponents' pressure by bringing on two fast players, Alex Muscat and Miguel Mifsud in lieu of Noel Turner and Farrugia.

But Msida were not to be denied. Two minutes into injury time they won a corner, Cachia's cross flew towards Theuma whose glancing header hit the back of the net.

Sliema: E. Barry-6, J. Brincat-7, B. Said-6, D. Debono-6, N. Turner-7 ('78 A. Muscat), C. Mattocks-6, J. Farrugia-6 ('84 M. Mifsud), J. Chetcuti-6, R. Mangion-7 ('46 D. Doncic-6), O. Anonam-7, K. Laferla-6.

Msida: O. Borg-6, D. Theuma-7, M. Boni-7, J. Mifsud-6, D. Cachia-6, R. Bajada-5 ('59 T. Farrugia-5), C. Sciberras-6, F. Cauchi-6, D. Nwoke-7, J. Zammit-5 ('31 J. Galea-6), M. Porceddu-8.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Scorers: Mangion 30; Theuma 90.

Yellow Cards: Cauchi; Theuma; Mifsud.

Player of the match: Noel Turner (Sliema Wanderers).