Balzan and Sta Lucia took a point each in a 1-1 draw at the Hibernians Stadium.
A draw which puts Sta Lucia on level points with Gzira United in sixth place while Balzan are now fifth from bottom.
Sta Lucia had an edge over Balzan and although they failed to make it four wins in a row, they managed to earn a fourth consecutive positive result while Balzan has now gone ten matches without a win.
Sta Lucia created the first chance of the match when in a swift counter-attack Kevin Ante Rosero saw his curling shot finished over.
In the 17th minute, Sta Lucia threatened again when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and Alan Da Silva Souz’s inswinger was pushed away by goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes but Sean Cipriott reacted faster to deny Alan Da Silva Souza from the rebound.
However, in the 29th minute, Balzan took the lead. They were awarded a free-kick and Steve Pisani’s delivery was connected by the unmarked MICHAEL JOHNSON who headed past goalkeeper Chris Farrugia.
However, Balzan’s joy was short-lived as Santa Lucia equalised three minutes later. A fine Alan da Silva Souza effort was tipped into a corner by goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes and off the resulting corner by Rei Tachikawa, KEVIN CORREIA headed home past the Balzan goalkeeper.
In the 35th minute, Sta Lucia had a good opportunity to take the lead. Victor Luis Filho sent a fine cross towards Rei Tachikawa who failed to make contact with the ball and Adam Magri Overend fired over from close range.
In the 54th minute, Balzan had a huge opportunity to restore their lead when Uros Ljubomirac made his way inside the box on the right and served Stefan Dimic inside the small box but he was confused what to do and Sta Lucia’s defenders cleared.
In the 74th minute, Balzan goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes kept his team level when he made a spectacular one-hand save to deny substitute De Araujo Glaucio.
In the 80th minute, Sta Lucia threatened again when De Aurjo Glaucio set Kevin Ante Rosero inside the area but the latter shot wide.
Two minutes from time, following a cross by substitute Michael Camilleri, Kevin Ante Rosero fired home from close range with the ball finishing into the net, but the goal was annulled as he was adjudged offside.
As the match ended in a stalemate, in stoppage time, Michael Camilleri had to leave the pitch as he was shown two quick yellow cards by the referee, following an argument with Steve Pisani .
BALZAN: Vukasin Vranes, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab , Paul Fenech, Steve Pisani, Michael Johnson (Gary Camilleri 52’), Alfred Effiong (Eric McWoods 78’), Uros Ljubomirac, Stefan Dimic (Weverton Gomes 78’), Sean Cipriott (Marcus Grima 65’), Moussa Kamara.
SANTA LUCIA: Christopher Farrugia, Timothy Tabone Desira, Andre Prates Rodrigues, Kevin Correia, Adam Magri Overend (Glaucio de Araujo 59’), Alan da Silva Souza (Michael Camilleri 86’), Kevin Ante Rosero, Victor Luiz Filho, Jamie Zerafa, Rei Tachikawa, Kieran Xuereb.
Referee: Glen Tonna
BOV Player of the Match: Alan da Silva Souza