Champions Sliema Wanderers had to be happy with the point earned against a motivated Hamrun side in yesterday's second match. The Wanderers who notched eight consecutive wins at the start of the campaign, for the third consecutive time failed to win. Smarting from two consecutive defeats, and with their leadership in the league reduced to zero, yesterday they were a disappointing lot against relegation troubled Hamrun.

The Spartans were the better team for long stretches of the match, with Mangion and Ivan Zammit playing a blinder. Okoro was not at his best form, with Nwankwo trying his best to fill the gaps left by the absence of top scorer Spiteri.

The Blues without several key players failed to lift their level above modesty, with Bogdanovic undoubtedly their best player. Joe Brincat tried his best against his first love, and was a key factor in saving the Blues' blushes as he scored the important equaliser. Stefan Giglio was well below his standard form, whilst at the back the champions looked shaky under pressure, with Di Lello losing his temper to get an early shower.

Edward Aquilina's boys however, showed determination and fighting spirit in obtaining the equaliser when playing with a man less.

Both sides had key players missing, with Sliema missing the services of Anonam, Darren Debono, and captain Noel Turner. The Spartans were without league top scorer Gaetan Spiteri, and his presence was sorely felt by the Spartans. Jonathan Magri Overend in search of his 400th appearance was on the substitute's bench, but he reached his goal as came on late in the game.

Fenech made the first attempt at goal from long range but Akanji saved well. Bogdanovic created havoc in the Spartans' defence but his cross found no Sliema players ready to connect.

On 25 minutes Hamrun missed an incredible chance of forging ahead, when Kevin Borg passed to Rupert Mangion whose weak shot was partially blocked by Akanji, and from the rebound Okoro, with an open goal at his mercy shot incredibly over the bar.

Sliema's approach was rather confusing and the closest they went was with a good Alex Muscat run on the right with his hot missing the base of the upright.

The second half continued on the same slow pace with Brincat making his first attempt on 57 minutes with a central shot. Hamrun forged ahead on the hour with Okoro crossing from the right after a good run and his cross was finished off by Nwonkwo who headed home from close range.

Sliema surged forward in desperate manner and almost obtained an immediate equaliser with Cordina saving at point blank on Brian Said and from the resultant corner, it was Ivan Zammit who saved off the line a Brian Said header.

The match gained in momento and Bogdanovic was unlucky when his cross shot deceived Cordina but the ball hit the upright. However on 74 minutes Sliema received a setback when Di Lello was shown the yellow card for the second time in the space of three minutes and Sliema had to play the rest of the match with ten players.

Two minutes later Sliema obtained the equaliser when Bogdanovic did all the runing on the right and crossed to Joe Brincat who headed home from close range.

Four minutes from time Hamrun Spartans were reduced to ten players as well when Steve Sadowski was sent off for second bookable offence.