In this match against Balzan, young substitute Nicholas Strickland, came off the bench in the 87th minute, and managed to level matters three minutes over the normal time, handing Sliema Wanderers a crucial point.
With this result, Sliema moved on 43 points, six clear of fourth-placed Marsaxlokk.
On the other hand, Balzan who needed a win to assure themselves of staying in the top-flight for another season with this draw moved to eight place on 30 points, one ahead of Gzira U, four clear of Santa Lucia and six of Mosta.
Balzan were set to secure a priceless victory in their battle to avoid relegation as they took a deserved lead through George Blackwood.
It looked as though Sliema were set for a frustrating afternoon when they fell behind in the 38th minute. However they kept believing and managed to avoid a defeat as in the added time their young substitute Nicholas Strickland headed home the equaliser.
In the 9th minute, Balzan was close to open the score when Aleksa Andrejic took advantage of a mistake by Sliema defender Neil Frendo but goalkeeper saved well his attempt from close range.
In the 22nd minute, came the first chance to Sliema when a cross by Lydon Micallef was met by Mohammed Abdulahi Awad but his shot from an acute angle finished out.
In the 36th minute, following a corner by Jan Busuttil, Andre’ Prated headed just over the cross-bar.
Two minutes later, Balzan took the lead when Aleksa Andrejic sent a low cross inside the area. Sliema goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi and Jake Engerer bumped into each other, paving the way for GEORGE BLACKWOOD to take the opportunity to deposit the ball into an empty net.
In the first minutes after the break, Vito Plut saw his attempt finished wide.
Sliema tried to step up their game by replacing several players in a bid to increase the attacking power but Balzan’s defense looked to hang on to the win.
In the 62nd minute, Balzan had another good chance when off a pass by Olivier Rommens a first time shot by Aleksa Andrejic was saved well by goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi.
However it all changed in the third minute of stoppage time when a cross by Geoffrey Acheampong was met by NICHOLAS STRICKLAND who headed the ball past Rudy Briffa.
BALZAN: Rudy Briffa, Andre Prates, Samir Arab, Triston Caruana, Jan Busuttil, Ryohei Michibuchi (Paul Fenech 60’) , Nikola Zerjal, Nikola Braunovic (Benjamin Hili 85’), Olivier Rommens, Aleksa Andrejic (Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya 81’), George Blackwood
SLIEMA WANDERERS: Rashed Al Tumi, Jean Borg (Christ Damsen Denis Kouao 68’), Jake Engerer (Denis Damsen), Vito Plut (Daniil Kondrakov 80’), Myles Beerman (Agius Edmond 87’), James Arthur, Gustavo Alcino, Neil Frendo (Joseph Marie Minala 80’), Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong, Lydon Micallef (Nicholas Strickland 87’), Mohammed Abdulahi Awad.
Referee : Alex Johnson.
BOV Best Player of the game: Gustavo Alcino