Watch: Ħamrun Spartans fail to sparkle in 1-1 draw against Naxxar Lions

Ħamrun Spartans missed the chance to move one step closer to a Top Six berth when they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Naxxar Lions at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Spartans, fresh from their battling performance in the UEFA Conference League against Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, started as favourites to clinch the three points against the Lions.

Things looked going in the right direction when Saliou Thioune fired them ahead early on.

But Naxxar showed remarkable fighting spirit to level matters soon after and managed to fend off their opponents to secure a vital point.

On the other hand, for Ħamrun this point lifts them to third place on 16 points, but Giacomo Modica’s men face two crucial clashes against leaders Floriana, on Wednesday, and Birkirkara on Saturday, that will define whether they will make it into the Top Six or not.

Coach Giacomo Modica made several changes from the team that faced Lausanne in midweek as the only players who kept their place in the team where goalkeeper Henry Bonello, Emerson Marcelina, Merlin Hadzi and Thioune.

The Reds were off to a bright start when they took the lead on 18 minutes when Thioune saw his shot beat Naxxar goalkeeper Matthias Debono.

But Naxxar soon responded and four minutes later they made it 1-1 when their prolific forward Edward Bolanos guided the ball past goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

The Spartans could have regained their lead just before half-time but Merlin Hadzi’s header came off the bar.

From then on, the match remained tight with the Spartans unable to clinch the winner while Naxxar held on to a precious point.