Valletta extended their unbeaten run this season, but only just. With three minutes remaining, the leaders were yesterday trailing to Marsaxlokk’s 83rd minute goal, scored by substitute Malcolm Licari.

At that point, Marsaxlokk looked to have done enough to claim a win that would have lifted them to second place and given Valletta their first league defeat but they were thwarted by Ryan Fenech’s late headed equaliser.

For all their abundance of talent, the leaders failed to impose themselves on an on-song Marsaxlokk side, unbeaten in all their last eight outings.

Valletta featured plenty of width, with Ryan Fenech and the returning Denni Dos Santos the main source of delivery but Marsaxlokk, with all their indefatigability in midfield, allowed few openings at the back and Rumen Galabov in particular was once more the intrepid defender who extinguished most of Valletta’s raids.

Gilbert Agius’ introduction as a substitute shortly after the hour, was pivotal as Valletta attacked with increasing fluency.

Marsaxlokk fielded an unchanged team from the one which routed Floriana in the previous game. Valletta made two changes after the draw against Hamrun, dropping Gilbert Agius and Andrade Anderson to the bench to make way for Denni Dos Santos and Ryan Fenech.

Valletta may have more technically-gifted players, but Marsaxlokk have fighters in midfield with the likes of Raimy, Deanov, Pullicino and Sciberras who allowed their opponents little comfort on the ball. Valletta’s midfield suffered in the absence of their creative force Jamie Pace who is still injured.

As expected, the leaders made the more assertive start. After three minutes Temile set Denni who played the ball to Sammut whose back heel was blocked by keeper Gauci and then Scerri had his effort blocked again.

But the hope of some high tempo fireworks soon evaporated as gradually, Marsaxlokk started to claw their way into the game and towards the quarter Pullicino provided Sciberras with a good pass but the latter contrived to put his shot off target.

Both sides stifled each other as the ball crossed the halfway line and goalmouth action remained much at a premium.

Short of the half hour, Temile’s back header on a Sammut free kick went over.

On 37 minutes Galabov headed out Denni’s cross and Fenech picked up his spot from outside the area but shot tantalisingly wide.

And as Darmanin shot Effiong’s pass wide, the stalemate prevailed by halftime.

Valletta reverted to a more direct approach on the resumption although the quality of football remained rather poor.

The leaders carved out a couple of half chances. Fenech’s shot was deflected into a corner by Pullicino with his head and then Raimy cleared Fenech’s free kick before Denni could connect.

After 67 minutes Valletta put in Gilbert Agius in attack, behind Scerri as Fenech retreated further in central midfield. Agius gave his side the required impetus.

On 70 minutes, Scerri’s cross from left was hit inches wide by Gilbert Agius.

Five minutes later, Fenech’s cross was chested by Gilbert Agius towards Scerri whose squeezed shot was superbly saved by keeper Gauci.

Marsaxlokk had changed both their forwards, putting in Licari and Alcorse for Darmanin and Effiong.

That seemed to pay dividends seven minutes from time. Sciberras went past two opponents from the left, steered the ball towards Malcolm Licari who chipped it over keeper Hogg to put Marsaxlokk in front.

The goal demanded an immediate response from Valletta whose unbeaten record looked very much in jeopardy for the first time this season.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Gilbert Agius played the ball towards Scerri and with keeper Gauci beaten, the ball hit the innerside of the post with Ryan Fenech quick to react, heading in the rebound for a dramatic equaliser.

Then, with time almost spent, Marsaxlokk were even reduced to ten men when their over zealous midfielder Raimy received a second caution for a crude foul and was dismissed.

Valletta: A. Hogg, I. Azzopardi, S. Borg, J. Caruana, R. Briffa, E. Agius, K. Sammut (A. Anderson), O. Temile (G. Agius), R. Fenech, T. Scerri, D. Dos Santos

Coach: J. Zerafa

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, T. Templeman, E. Yanchev, R. Galabov, C. Mamo, F. Raimy, P. Pullicino, G. Sciberras, M. Deanov, A. Effiong (J. Alcorse), R. Darmanin (M. Licari)

Coach: P. Curmi

Referee: C. Lautier

Asst.refs: P. Agius, P. Apap

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: M. Licari 83, R. Fenech 88

Yellow cards: F. Raimy, P. Pullicino, J. Caruana, R. Fenech

Red card: F. Raimy

Player of the match: S. Borg (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. R. Fenech 2. P. Pullicino 3. R. Galabov

Attendance: 2,973