Ten-man Naxxar Lions stay in the hunt for Top 6 berth after a hard-fought draw against Marsaxlokk

Naxxar Lions remained in charge of their destiny in their fight for a Top 6 place after grinding a 1-1 draw against Marsaxlokk.

The Lions needed the three points to seal their Top 6 berth and looked on course when Louis Pahama fired them ahead.

But the first-half dismissal of Gustavo Goncalves hit them hard, and after Dodo pulled Marsaxlokk level, it looked as though the match would sway the Southerners’ way.

However, Naxxar kept fighting and, inspired by goalkeeper Matthias Debono, who saved Dodo’s second-half penalty, they held on for a point that leaves them needing a win against Hibernians to finish the job, irrespective of what seventh-placed Sliema Wanderers do against Gżira United.

After 16 minutes, Marsaxlokk protested for a penalty when Arias tried to latch onto Dodo’s cross but was held back by Daniel Letherby inside the area. However, referee Slobodan Petrovic waved play on.

Naxxar immediately pushed forward with Louis Pahama winning possession in midfield, and despite being some 30 metres out, he hit a thumping drive that flew into the top corner of the net.

Marsaxlokk tried to respond, and on 27 minutes, Arias tried to surprise Debono directly from a corner kick, but the Naxxar goalkeeper did well to clear the danger.

The southerners came even closer on 29 minutes when, from another corner kick, the ball fell to Nicky Muscat, whose volley was deflected by a defender onto the crossbar with Debono beaten.

Ten minutes from the break, Naxxar almost doubled their lead. Vitinho was played in space and was blocked by the onrushing Maffoumbi. The Brazilian picked up the rebound and moved past a defender, and his effort was again kept out by the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper.

On 38 minutes, Muscat picked Juan Corbalana, who turned past his marker but his shot was saved in two attempts by Debono.

Naxxar suffered a blow on 40 minutes, when Gustavo Goncalves was shown his second yellow card and was dismissed.

Marsaxlokk stepped up the pressure in the second half, and on 50 minutes, Dodo picked Muscat but his header was saved by Debono.

The Southerners’ persistence paid off on 65 minutes when the Naxxar defence failed to clear the ball inside the area, and Dodo blasted the ball home.

Things could have gone worse for Naxxar as Marsaxlokk were awarded a penalty when Aguirre was fouled inside the area by Joao Moura.

But from the resultant penalty, Debono dived to his left to push away Dodo’s shot.

Twelve minutes from time, Naxxar almost restored their lead when Vitinho was picked by Vinicius and his thumping drive was miraculously kept out by Maffoumbi.

A minute from time, it was Debono who came to Naxxar’s rescue when he denied Corbalan from close in as both teams had to settle for a point.