Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, M. Licari, S. Wellman, C. Magro G. Sciberras (T. Templeman), P. Pullicino, K. Sammut (S. Bajada), C. Frendo (G. Mizzi), D. Webb, J. Pace, S. Tellus

Sliema W: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, K. Cassar (T. Fleri Soler), C. Failla, U. Nwoko, P. Doffo, E. Agius, R. Briffa (J. Xerri), T. Scerri

Referee: A. Azzopardi Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, C. Micallef 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: C. Frendo (2), P. Doffo, T. Scerri, U. Nwoko, D. Webb

Yellow cards: J. Pace, U. Nwoko

In the first of two test matches prior to their difficult encounter with FK Sarajevo in the qualifying round of the Champions Legue next week, champions Marsaxlokk just managed to avoid defeat, courtesy of a late draw, after surrendering a two-goal lead.

In their second outing in this competition, gritty Hibernians again rallied from two goals down by the start of the second half to take a 3-2 lead with only four minutes remaining, but were denied a win by Webb’s last minute equaliser.

The first half was bereft of excitement, thanks to a midfield stalemate.

Although the quality of football in the second half did not improve much, at least both sides seemed more fried up, and created more chances, producing five goals and a thrilling finale, between them.

Marsaxlokk’s forward line looked blunted with the absence of Bogdanovic and Schembri.

Their new signing, Daniel Webb, lacked the required sharpness in attack as he was starved of service.

With the departure of Luke Dimech, and the unavailable Carlo Mamo, the champions had to make good in defence as well.

Magro and Tellus were the two central defenders, with Wellman and Licari wide on the flanks.

Hibernians were also missing the driving energy of Cohen, who probably failed to recover from some knock he suffered against Sliema on Monday.

In attack, Terrence Scerri was preferred to Alcorse, who sat on the bench.

The match started in uninspired style and the first half was really dismal stuff, with many passes going astray.

With both sides shorn of penetration, the defences remained largely untroubled except for some rare moments when the opponents threatened with some tame effort such as when Hibernians’ keeper Muscat rushed off his line to block Webb’s incursion in the early stages.

Marsaxlokk’s goal midway through the half came almost by accident.

Pulis’ clearance fell to Pace who mishit completely from inside the area, but the ball fell into Cleaven Frendo’s path to beat Muscat with a low drive.

Soon after, Marsaxlokk earned a free-kick on the edge of the area. Muscat had to dive to his left to repel Licari’s insidious shot.

Hibernians, who looked poor in the first half, suffered another setback at the start of the second.

Pace’s cross from the right fell to the unmarked Frendo, who kept his cool to beat the onrushing Muscat, slotting the ball at the far post.

Two goals down, Hibernians recharged their energies and within two minutes they restored equilibrium.

On 53 minutes, Pablo Doffo ran clear on the right and beat keeper Gauci with a curling shot at the top far post. Two minutes later, substitute Jonathan Xerri played the ball forward. Terence Scerri, standing inside the area controlled it well and beat Gauci again with a low shot on the turn.

Marsaxlokk looked jaded. They brought on Bajada for Sammut as Hibernians threatened further when Scerri’s shot was footed out by Gauci.

With the balance of power shifting dramatically into Hibernians’ favour, Marsaxlokk were spared another fright on 72 minutes.

Nwoko ran havoc inside the Marsaxlokk defence, creating an opening for Jonathan Xerri who fired a low drive which rebounded off the foot of the post.

It was not surprising that four minutes from time, Udo Nwoko sprinted into space and fired a low drive from the edge of the area that beat the outstretched Gauci via the inner post to crown a very positive performance.

As the Paolites looked heading for a win, the innocuous Daniel Webb spoilt the party on the stroke of time as he chested Bajada’s cross and shot low past a helpless Muscat to earn a draw, which keeper Gauci then preserved, with a sprawling save off Terence Scerri’s last ditch effort in added time.

Marsaxlokk will now face Sliema tomorrow and a win for either side would enable them to claim the Euro Challenge Cup.

According to the competition’s regulations, if more than one team finish on equal points, priority is given to the team with superior goal difference. If this is also equal,theb greater number of goals determines the winner, with the drawing of lots being the last resort. The first game was a 2-2 draw between Sliema and Hibernians.