Valletta: S. Darmanin, J. Bondin, B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, R. Forace, I. Zammit, U. Edafe, D. Camilleri (K. Fenech), D. Falzon (J. Grioli), G. Agius (D. Zarb), S. Monesterolo.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, S. Wellman, G. Sciberras, A. Da Silva, C. Frendo, D. Bogdanovic, M. Licari, S. Bajada (K. Sammut), J. Pace, H. Doda (A. Schembri).

Referee: A. Zammit. Asst refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri; 4th official: S. Tanti.

Scorers: S. Monesterolo, K. Sammut, D. Bogdanovic

Yellow cards: C. Mamo, C. Frendo, Da Silva, J. Pace, S. Monesterolo, A. Schembri

Red card: B. Nisevic.

BoV player of the match: S. Monesterolo

TMI Top 3: 1. S. Monesterolo; 2. J. Pace; 3. G. Agius

Marsaxlokk turned defeat into a dramatic victory yesterday evening as they came back from a goal behind at the interval to score twice in the second half – the winner in added injury time – after Branko Nisevic had been sent off.

The victory enabled the southern seasiders to take a second consecutive three points but it was the first defeat for Valletta this season.

Marsaxlokk were missing the services of the suspended international defender Luke Dimech.

In the first half play was equally balanced but Valletta showed more coordination and created more chances than Marsaxlokk, especially with Gilbert Agius and Sebastian Monesterolo combining beautifully.

The Argentine striker was on target again for his seventh goal so far and was unlucky on at least two other occasions.

Marsaxlokk had too many gaps in defence and could not play confidently against the speedy and reliable Monesterolo.

And in midfield, there seemed to be a lot of confusion. Up front Doda and Bogdanovic were mosly inexistent.

The introduction of Andre Schembri and Kevin Sammut in the second half had a telling effect on Marsaxlokk. The former provided several anxious moments for the City defence, while Sammut created several openings and even managed to score the equaliser.

Valletta were handicapped by Nisevic’s dismissal. He had been one of the pillars in the heart of the Valletta rearguard. Apart from their central defender, Valletta also lost the midfield as Edafe had to take a central defensive role.

After the early skirmishes, Valletta had a good move on 12 minutes, but Monesterolo’s effort was turned to corner by Gauci.

On 16 minutes, Monesterolo set Gilbert Agius, but Wellman was quick to block the City captain’s effort which ended in Gauci’s waiting hands.

On the 23rd minute, a Sciberras shot was deflected badly by a City defender. The ball went to the unmarked Jamie Pace, but face to face with Darmanin, he saw the City goalie block his effort to corner.

M’Xlokk paid dearly for this missed chance as Valletta took the lead just one minute later. In a swift counter-attack, Monesterolo advanced unhindered on a through pass from Ian Zammit and beat Gauci with a low shot.

Four minutes later, the Argentine striker headed forward for Agius to advance to the edge of the area, but his effort was excellently saved by Gauci.

On 36 minutes, Doda had a shot on the turn going over for Marsaxlokk. The southern seasiders almost equalised on 40 minutes. From a Cleaven Frendo corner, Doda headed forward and Jamie Pace tried an overhead hick which hit the upright.

Three minutes later, it was Valletta who were unlucky when Gilbert Agius provided Monesterolo with a splendid through pass. The Argentine lobbed over the onrushing Gauci, but the ball – luckily for Marsaxlokk – hit the crossbar and rebounded out.

Soon after the changeover, Bogdanovic’s low cross saw substitute Kevin Sammut hitting badly when harassed by a Valletta defender.

On 53 minutes, and Agius low cross was fumbled badly by a Marsaxlokk defender and Edafe’s effort was saved by Gauci with the help of a defender on the line.

On 61 minutes, it was a providential tackle by Bezzina on Schembri that enabled Valletta avoid suffering what looked like a probable goal.

On the 76th minute, Nisevic was shown the red card following a second bookable offence and Valletta had to continue in ten men.

Marsaxlokk quickly took advantage as they equalised two minutes later. A Bogdanovic effort hit the upright and Sammut was on hand to plant the ball into an empty net.

Marsaxlokk almost snatched a goal on the 90th minute. Schembri bustled his way into the City area and squared for Bogdanovic to hit a fine effort against the crossbar.

But they did it two minutes later, however, in added injury time, when off a Carlo Mamo cross, Schembri headed forward for Bogdanovic to control the ball and fire home past a helpless Darmanin.