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

San Gwann: J. Spiteri, A. Gatt, A. Saliba, L. Vella Critien, M. Francica, S. Cutajar (C. Giordemaina), C. Cuschieri, A. Borg, C. Gatt, D. Doncic (L. Sciberras), M. Psaila.

Referee: C. Pisani, Asst. referees: J. Camilleri, Ms. E. Farrugia, 4th official: P. Caruana

Scorer: B. Nisevic

Yellow cards: G. Agius, M. Francica, C. Cuschieri

Red card: I. Zammit, M. Francica

It was a sigh of relief for the Valletta supporters and the neutral spectators present, as Nisevic headed in a Gilbert Agius free-kick on the 90th minute to save them from another 30 minutes of boring football, if football is the correct term to the stuff seen yesterday at The Centenary Stadium.

Valletta were expected to sweep aside San Gwann’s resistance and obtain an easy passage to the next round, but it was not to be.

On the contrary, San Gwann knowing that they were facing superior opponents, defended grimly and pressed all over the pitch, creating havoc in Valletta’s set up.

Valletta were a disappointing lot, and surely yesterday was their worst performance so far this season. And coach Paul Zammit will hope this showing is not repeated by the Lillywhites.

Valletta never really came to grips with their opponents and the match resulted in a drab affair, with both goalkeepers never really called in action.

The match had a very quite start with the returning Dyson Falzon flicking against the side netting after only two minutes, and with San Gwann’s Mark Psaila testing Saviour Darmanin with a grounder.

On 23 minutes Sebastian Monesterolo made his presence felt for the first time hitting slightly over the bar direct from a free-kick.

On 26 minutes San Gwann almost stunned their opponents when Danilo Doncic headed towards Clint Gatt who hit the side of the upright from an acute angle.

Valletta could not find a way past the well organised San Gwann defence. Francica, Luke Vella Critien and Antonio Saliba were in splendid form and Monesterolo and Gilbert Agius never had an open chance to score.

Dyson Falzon tried his best on the left flank but was never fruitful to the side.

In midfield Valletta were constantly under pressure as San Gwann’s constant pressure never let the Citizens settle down. Edafe and David Camilleri were very erratic in their passes whilst Ian Zammit could not combine anything on the right flank.

Valletta’s approach to the second period looked more promising with Monesterolo missing the first real scoring opportunity after six minutes following a good Ian Zammit cross from the right.

Two minutes later the same Ian Zammit was sent off for kicking Francica

Things became now even more complicated for the Citizens, even though Monesterolo had another good opportunity but he hit the side netting.

Ideas lacked from both sets and both goalkeepers had a quite afternoon as they could have stayed in the dressing room.

Ten minutes from time San Gwann lost their numerical advantage when Francica was shown the second yellow after tripping David Camilleri.

With everything set for another 30 minutes of non football, Valletta scored a dramatic winner.

On 90 minutes Gilbert Agius floated a perfect free-kick from the left and central defender Branco Nisevic rose high to beat Justin Spiteri with a precise header to put Valletta in the second round.