Djuranovic comes to Sliema’s rescue at the death

NAXXAR LIONS     1         

Vitinho 82

SLIEMA WANDERERS     1         

Djuranovic 90

A goal in added time enabled Sliema Wanderers to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Naxxar Lions.

Following a most quiet first half, the Lions showed the better ideas after the break, and looked set to take all three points when Vitinho fired them ahead.

However, Sliema Wanderers refused to throw in the towel and they managed to grab the equaliser one minute into added time to take home a point.

Sliema therefore retain a one-point lead over Naxxar as they remain eighth, two points behind Birkirkara, Gżira United, Hibernians and Marsaxlokk.

However, Hibernians and Marsaxlokk have played a game less as they face off at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.

Naxxar had three changes from the team that lost to Ħamrun Spartans as they welcomed Cedric Kontchou, Yeangel Montero and Vitinho back in the starting line-up.

Theo Seara Kruger, Louis Pahama, and Rosiel were the players to make way.

For the Wanderers, coach Pablo Doffo decided to rope in Wescley, who was preferred to Adam Magri Overend.

The two teams shared the exchanges during the first half with the two goalkeepers hardly being tested for much of the opening 30 minutes

The first opportunity arrived on 35 minutes when Vinicius Baiano concluded a good run with a powerful shot which ended wide.

Two minutes later, Mohamed Awad tested Matthias Debono with a shot from outside the area.

Four minutes in the second half, Joao Moura went close with a free kick which scraped past the post.

Naxxar’s best chance of the match at that point arrived a minute later, Vinicius Baiano hit the crossbar with a header off a Vitinho corner.

Naxxar threatened once again with a Vitinho effort from outside the area a few minutes later.

Naxxar finally managed to take the lead on 82 minutes.

Neil Pace Cocks served Vitinho on the left and the latter beat goalkeeper Kelvin Emeka Agu.

However, one minute in added time, the Wanderers levelled matters.

Vito Plut headed the ball in the direction of Uros Djuranovic who avoided a tackle by Daniel Letherby and slotted past goalkeeper Matthias Debono.