Hamrun          1
Valletta          1

Hamrun: E. Bartolo, E. Pepe, T. Caruana, S. Nayar (C. Borg 56), W. Domoraud, A. Scicluna (M. Gauci 56), K. Micallef, D. Moukanza, O. Nikolopoulos, C. Calil, K. Tulimieri (R. Darmanin 76)

Valletta: H. Bonello, J. Caruana, S. Borg, R. Camilleri (J. Borg 62), S. Malano, K. Nwoko (B. Kaljevic 86), E. Pena Beltre, J. Zerafa, R. Muscat, M. Alba (R. Saleh 68), M. Fontanella

Referee: AM Sant

Asst. Refs: R. Vella, P. Apap

4^th official: F. Zammit

Scorers: M. Fontanella 30

Yellow cards: M. Alba 63, M. Gauci 63, C. Calil 77, R. Muscat 90

Red card: R I Saleh

BOV Player of the Match: M. Fontanella

TMI Top 3: 1. M. Fontanella, 2. M. Alba, 3. M. Bartolo

Attendance: 5,590

The Valletta fans were already celebrating a 25^th title win by their heroes on the pitch yesterday as they were winning 1-0 against Hamrun Spartans.

But a dramatic late equaliser for the Spartans completely shattered their festivities as the result, combined with the 5-1 win by Hibernians against Balzan, means that the citizens and the Paolites will now have to meet in a decider to determine the title winner this season.

Man of the Match Mario Fontanella scored for Valletta on 30 minutes after a defensive lapse by Hamrun defender Andre Scicluna. It was a lucky breakthrough for Valletta, who until then had been frustrated by Hamrun's defensive tactics and by goalie Bonello's saves.

But as already mentioned, Donnell Mouzanka's late strike for Hamrun dashed all their immediate title hopes.

That goal also enabled the Spartans to finish 4^th in the standings with a potential chance to play in the Europa League next season. That will only materialise if one of the three leading clubs wins the FA Trophy.

Valletta and Hibernians finished the campaign on 58 points, each.

In the race for 4^th place, Sliema's campaign also ended in disappointment as Hamrun finished 4^th on 46, while Sliema ended on 45.

Valletta were in command during the first half. They were quickly on attack in search of an early goal to set them on the path to victory. But despite their continuous attacks, they had to wait a full 30 minutes to break the deadlock. And it had to be a colossal lapse - a very short backpass to Bartolo by Scicluna - which gave Fontanella the chance to put his side ahead. And he did not miss this glorious opportunity.

On their part, Hamrun disappointed their numerous fans. Right from the first minute, they showed their intentions clear.

They defended with all their might and tried to operate on the break, but with Tulimieri completely blotted out by Valletta in midfield, they rarely, if ever, troubled the City defence, especially goalie Bonello.

The long balls from the back to Domoraud and Moukanza never left the desired effect and Valletta could have absolute control.

There was not much change in the second half as Hamrun still insisted on defence although they did try to move forward without much success.

Valletta were well in command at the back and never gave them the chance to have a pot at goal as Bonello enjoyed the sunny afternoon between the Valletta posts.

But only until the 3^rd minute of added time, that is, when Hamrun scored their equalising goal.

As early as the first minute, Valletta were already very dangerous as from a Miguel Alba cross, a Mario Fontanella header was excellently saved by the diving Manuel Bartolo.

At the other end, Hamrun replied through a Triston Caruana corner which created havoc in front of the City goal but efforts from Wilfried Domoraud and Donnell Moukanza were both blocked.

Fontanella again went close for Valletta in the 16^th minute, but his angled shot was turned to corner by Bartolo. From the corner, the ball rebounded onto Fontanella's feet, but Bartolo again denied the City striker with a good block.

Valletta took the lead on the 30^th minute when Mario Fontanella made the most of a lapse - a very short backpass - by Hamrun defender Andre Scicluna and advanced into the area to beat Bartolo with an unstoppable shot.

On 44 minutes, Valletta were again close. Malano set Pena Beltre on the right, but the latter's dangerous cross was intercepted gracefully by Bartolo.

At the other end soon after, Hamrun missed the only chance which they created. From a Tulimieri cross, Domoraud was in full sight of goal, but hit the ball badly and it could only land on the net.

As the second half started, Valletta threatened again through Kyrian Nwoko who had a shot blocked following an Alba cornerkick.

Hamrun earned a freekick from the edge of the area in the 63^rd minute, but Moukanza lifted the ball well high over the bar.

On 88 minutes, Valletta ended in 10 men when Raed Ibrahim Saleh was shown a second yellow card and was dismissed.

Till deep into added time, it seemed all over, but how wrong I was. It was in the 3^rd minute that Hamrun obtained a dramatic equaliser when the Valletta defence committed its only mistake failing to clear a Hamrun cross with Donnell Moukanza placing the ball well wide of Bonello's reach.

Valletta had the chance to get their own back soon after when from a Zerafa freekick, substitute Bojan Kaljevic rose above friend and foe only for the ball to finish over the crossbar.