Watch: Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk fail to gain ground in Top Six Race after 1-1 draw

Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk failed to gain significant ground in their race for a Top Six berth as they could only manage to take a point each following a 1-1 draw at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

It was a game of two facets, with the Wanderers completely on top in the first 45 minutes, during which they deservedly took the lead and had other opportunities to increase their advantage further.

But after the break, we saw a completely new version of Marsaxlokk who produced a stirring fightback, which was ultimately rewarded with a deserved equaliser that keeps them in the hunt for a place in the Top Six.

The final scoreline leaves Sliema Wanderers level on points with third-placed Ħamrun Spartans on 15 points, while Marsaxlokk are tied with Hibernians in sixth place on 14 points, one ahead of Birkirkara.

Sliema took the ground running, and after ten minutes, they were unlucky not to take the lead. They were awarded a free-kick, and Roko Prsa’s shot beat goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi, with the ball hitting the bar.

The Wanderers did have the ball into the net on 17 minutes when Miguel Baggio’s shot was somehow kept out by Mafoumbi and from the rebound Plut fire home. However, the ‘goal’ was annulled as the Slovenian was adjudged to be in an offside position.

Sliema’s pressure was finally rewarded on 33 minutes when Marsaxlokk lost the ball cheaply following a throw-in in their own half. Plut quickly pushed the ball into the path of Sulahmana Bah, who unleashed a powerful low drive that rolled into the net.

Sliema remained on top and five minutes from the break, Mafoumbi had to be at his best to turn to a corner Wesley’s shot from a free-kick.

Marsaxlokk stepped up a gear in the second half, and on 56 minutes, Ulises Arias created space for himself but his shot was pushed away by Kelvin Agu.

Minutes later, El Hasni nodded the ball into the path of Arias who was denied by Agu.

Sliema thought they doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Bah’s shot was somehow kept out by Mafoumbi, with the ball hitting Plut before finishing into the back of the net.

However, the ‘goal’ was annulled as Plut was in an offside position.

Instead, it was Marsaxlokk who equalised on 72 minutes when Arias picked Dodo who hit a thumping volley that gave no chance to Agu.

Marsaxlokk could have won it five minutes from time when Arias stole possession on the edge of the area but his shot was kept out by Agu.