Patrick Curmi’s boys provided stiff opposition to the runaway leaders and could also have won the three points in the last minute of added time after an incredible slip by Valletta’s Steve Borg whose throw-in went straight to the unmarked Ryan Darmanin. Had Darmanin’s shot went into the net instead of hitting the upright and rebounding into Hogg’s hands, it would have been sheer injustice with Valletta.

The citizens had dominated the second half and had threatened to take the lead on more than one occasion.

Without setting any houses on fire, especially in the first half, Jesmond Zerafa’s boys maintained their unbeaten record and must have been satisfied with the point obtained in the circumstances.

As Zerafa and even Terence Scerri said after the match, there is no drama for having missed out on these three points. But the most talented players on this island will have to play much better in their next matches if they are to retain their handsome lead.

Marsaxlokk must be commended for a superb effort which not only kept Valletta at bay, but also helped them to consolidate their place among the Top Six with just three more matches to go for the end of the first phase.

The southern seasiders were the better side in the first half when, with Valletta almost completely inexistent, they also threatened seriously to take the lead before that Kevin Sammut great miss on the stroke of half-time.

In the second half, they absorbed City’s strong pressure and had to retreat at the back to keep the Whites at bay, even if at times, it was either a courageous defender or Lady Luck that kept them on a par with their opponents.

On the same afternoon, Birkirkara did well to beat Hamrun Spartans 2-0.

In the process, they returned to winning form, but what was more important was the fact that the three points enabled them to improve their position in the standings – now they are almost sure of being among the Top Six in the second phase.

The Stripes dominated for most of the match and could have scored more goals. But it is equally true that they missed a lot – including a penalty – and the 1-0 result enabled Hamrun to remain in contention till the end, that is, before Paul Fenech made sure of the three points with a second goal.

The champions must wait till the coming weekend to make use of their new signings – Andrei Agius and Rodolfo de Oliveira – as their clearance certificates did not arrive in time for Saturday’s match.

Hamrun Spartans suffered their third consecutive defeat and remain on 19 points, though still well in sight of a place in the Top Six.

However, their confidence is decreasing at present and unless they make an extra effort and start winning once again, they will find out – to their own detriment – that the teams behind them may also overtake them.

Floriana maintained their impressive positive run of late as they overturned the tables over Qormi in one of the most entertaining league matches this season.

Floriana twice had to come from behind – 1-2 and 2-3 – to turn the result in their favour.

Todor Raykov’s side is now playing with a lot of confidence and it is no wonder that they have made second place their own.

For Qormi, this defeat was a setback as they have seen their hopes for a Top Six berth receding considerably.

The Yellow Blacks must now hope to win all their remaining three matches while the teams above them miss out. And that is certainly not an easy task.

Vittoriosa Stars are not yet resigned to their fate. After their come from behind 2-1 win against Hibernians, they have moved on to the 10-point mark, just two below the same Hibernians.

After their recent setbacks, the Stars were already being considered as the firm candidates for relegation, but after this victory over the Paolites, it is evident that they have not yet thrown in the towel.

Not that they will be in the Top Six in the second phase. But they will certainly be in a better position to challenge the other three teams in the Relegation battle.

The Paolites again disappointed their followers. One might have expected Mark Miller’s side to maintain their winning trend after having won against Hamrun in their previous match. Instead, they squandered a 1-0 lead against the Stars and ended up losing all the three points.

The Paolites remain far from a Top Six berth after this defeat, and although not all is yet lost, however, they will have to show a big improvement if they are to avoid the Relegation Pool.

On Monday evening, Mark Marlow’s Sliema confirmed they are fighting tooth and nail to try to avoid the Relegation Pool.

For the second time running, it was in the final minutes that they managed to save the game. The previous week they had turned a 2-3 deficit into a 4-3 win against Vittoriosa. This time, they got only one point from a 1-1 draw with Tarxien Rainbows.

This point, however, may still prove to be very useful at the end of the first phase.

For Tarxien it was a big disappointment, having to drop two points after suffering a goal in the final moments. But that is why the game of football is interesting.

That goal meant that the Rainbows lost their second place to Floriana in the standings.