Champions Hamrun Spartans failed to beat ten-man Sliema Wanderers to drop two precious points in the title race with main challengers Floriana.

With the Greens easily beating Naxxar Lions yesterday, the gap between the Spartans and Floriana is now reduced to just three points

Hamrun were not at their best yesterday, creating very few scoring chances in the whole ninety minutes

However credit must be given to the Wanderers who played a very diligent match leaving little or no opportunities to the champions.

The match was rather dull with very few scoring opportunities. The Blues were good in defending but they practically never worried goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

A very slow start to the match with Hamrun having their only effort on target in the first half on twelve minutes when Duranovic won a couple of tackles on the left flank and from an acute angle tried to beat goalkeeper Al Tumi who blocked well.

Half way through the first half Sliema won a string of corners and in one of them Henrique Freire tested Bonello with a central drive.

In the second half the Spartans with the strong winds behind their backs, pushed more in attack and in the first fifteen minutes had some efforts towards goal, but Al Tumi was never really tested.
Prsa had a freekick going well over the bar, and a Duranovic cross from the right created some havoc in the Sliema defence which managed to scramble to safety.

On 64 minutes Minala received a second booking and Sliema had to carry on with ten men.

Needless to say Hamrun pushed forward in the remaining minutes but still failed to penetrate Sliema’s organised defence.

The closest Hamrun could get was on 90 minutes when a Ryan Camenzuli shot smashed against the upright.