Sliema Wanderers 2 Marsaxlokk 2
Former Sliema striker Obinna Obiefule earned a sweet revenge over his former club as he help Marsaxlokk to earn a battling draw against the Wanderers.
Marsaxlokk had also started the match in stunning fashion with Martin Deanov netting after 16 minutes but Sliema turned the game around and looked to be on course to claim their third consecutive win thanks to goals from Daniel Mitev and Roderick Bajada. However Danilo Donici's men could not find the third goal to wrap the points up and were stunned by Obiefule.
Scoring chances were at a premium for much of the opening 15 minutes with Marsaxlokk clearly toiling to find their rhythm in the face of Sliema's tight pressing.
Kokavessis had been a peripheral presence but he made a crucial contribution as Marsaxlokk took a lead after 16 minutes. He turned the tables on Alex Muscat who in return floored him.
From the ensuing free-kick, Deanov crashed his shot home from 35 metres after Sliema goalkeeper had allowed the shot to squeeze under his body.
The goal at least impressed on Sliema the urgency of attempting to trouble the Marsaxlokk goal and Mifsud Triganza scuffed a good opportunity wide after 19 minutes after Mitev drove into the penalty area.
The Sliema team that came out of the dressing room after the interval was more aggressive than the version seen in the first half. Scerri flashed a shot over the bar in the opening stages.
When Sliema equalised nine minutes into the second half, it came in cruel fashion for Marsaxlokk, defender Patrick Borg incredibly miskicked a long ball which looped behind him, leaving Mitev with the easy task of tapping home.
Energy visibly drained out of Marsaxlokk as Sliema continued to be the better side. After 69 minutes, Mitev went close with a curling free-kick that ended narrowly wide.
That turned out to be the preamble to Sliema's second six minutes later. Borg sent Mifsud Triganza crashing to end another Sliema venture towards the Southseasiders' penalty area. And Bajada exacted clinical retribution with a delightful left-foot strike that bent viciously away from Gauci's despairing dive.
The celebrations were short-lived as Marsaxlokk were swiftly back on terms when Emiliano Lattes found space on the left hand side of the Sliema area before setting up Obiefule to score.