Sliema Wanderers rescued a point with a late Jackson Lima header in the dying minutes to preserve an unbeaten streak of three consecutive matches.

The draw was a fair result overall as neither side did enough to deserve a win. Passion, commitment and urgency were all missing in equal measure during a boring 90 minutes which neutrals will quickly lose in the mist of their memories.

There were few attacking moments to celebrate and the goals, both in the second half, were the only highlights of an otherwise uneventful match.

By virtue of this draw, Tarxien remain in third place, two points adrift of Floriana while Sliema move to within three points of Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk above them, with only three games remaining for the end of the first phase.

Tarxien had Pacheco back in their starting line-up instead of Rodriguez, who went in as a substitute and gave the Rainbows the lead. Sliema made two changes from their goalless draw against Qormi in the last match – Josef Mifsud started in defence and Obiefule in attack as Adam Spiteri and Mifsud Triganza were exiled to the bench.

Lima was presented with the first chance after five minutes, pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area after Sadowski had failed to clear. But the Sliema player missed the target completely.

On 20 minutes, Bueno was slightly pushed inside the Sliema area when trying to connect to a cross. On the other end, Obiefule was bundled as he ran inside the Tarxien area for Lachkhem’s low cross. The referee deemed none irregular.

On 27 minutes Anonam clipped the bar with his header on a Grioli corner as the ball bounced in front of him.

Sliema also hit the woodwork ten minutes later, when keeper Cassar palmed Obiefule’s shot against the bar.

Towards the end of the half, Lachkhem ended a good run from the left shooting against the side netting.

Unfortunately, things did not improve much in the second half with the football from both sides remaining of poorest quality. On 65 minutes Costa missed the target with a free header on a Grioli cross.

At the other end, Lachkhem released Scerri outside the area. The Sliema skipper advanced but keeper Cassar blocked his angled shot.

With the game going nowhere and both sides looking short of ideas, Tarxien broke the boredom with a goal on 69 minutes. Substitute Cristiano Rodriguez was left unmarked on yet another Grioli cross to head the ball just out of the jumping keeper Szentpeteri’s reach.

Sliema’s reaction was as ordinary as their table position suggests, even though they put in Ciantar, Mifsud Triganza and Turner for the last 20 minutes.

Tarxien looked capable of taking full points.

Then all of a sudden, with three minutes remaining, the Wanderers jerked into shape. They crafted a good chance but Lachkhem sent his glancing header on Ciantar’s cross wide.

They were not to be denied on the stroke of full time. Jackson Lima, in full elevation inside the Tarxien area, headed in Turner’s sailing free kick to salvage at least a precious point. The Wanderers’ fight for survival continues.

Sliema W: V. Szentpeteri, J. Mifsud, M. Scerri (N. Turner), S. Bezzina, C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Lima, O. Obiefule, C. Lachkhem, R. Bajada (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), B. Muscat, C. Failla (M. Ciantar)

Coach: M. Marlow

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, R. Costa (S. Hili), S. Pacheco (C. Rodriguez), M. Tanti (R. Mintoff), D. Bueno, O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli

Coach: N. Coleiro

Referee: E. Azzopardi

Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, C. Francalanza

4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: C. Rodriguez 69, J. Lima 90

Yellow card: S. Pacheco

Player of the match: J. Grioli (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Grioli 2. L. Galea 3. S. Bezzina

Attendance: 381