A bold defensive display by Sliema Wanderers denied champions Valletta from bagging their second successive win in this season’s Championship Pool after the Citizens could only manage a goalless draw against the Blues at the National Stadium.

It was a frustrating result for the Citizens who held most of the possession for most of the match.

In fact, Valletta called the tune for much of the first half, with Sliema goalkeeper Glenn Zammit pulling a fine reflex save on 23 minutes to keep out Jason Vandelannoitte’s close range header.

Four minutes later Sliema defender Luca Martinelli came to his side’s rescue when he cleared off the line Fenech’s low drive.

On the change of ends Valletta kept up the pressure and the woodwork denied Valletta an opener on 64 minutes when Vandelannoitte’s shot was deflected into the path of Fenech whose fierce volley came off the bar.

Valletta continued to pile up the pressure and 12 minutes from time Zammit came to his side’s rescue when he dived full stretch to intercept Fenech’s cross towards Bogdanovic who had an open goal at his mercy.

Sliema defender Paltemio Barbetti was voted as the BOV Player of the match.