Balzan rescue point after coming back from two goals down
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...