Valletta showed character and resilience to recover from two goals down and earn a 2-2 draw against ten-man Balzan.

The Citizens endured a nightmare start as Lucas Macula and Oluwatobiloba Awosanya put Balzan firmly in control inside the opening quarter of an hour.

However, Alex Tanque pulled one back just before half-time and, after Balzan’s Zachary Grech was dismissed early in the second half, Roko Prsa headed home the equaliser with 16 minutes remaining.

Balzan made a flying start and opened the scoring after just six minutes when Macula found a way past Valletta goalkeeper Adilson Maringa.

Their advantage was doubled in the 14th minute after Emmanuel Mbende brought down Awosanya inside the penalty area.

Valletta requested an FVS review of the decision, but the penalty stood and Awosanya stepped up to send Maringa the wrong way.

The Citizens struggled to find a response as Balzan’s pace and physical approach continued to cause them problems.

Balzan almost added a third after 38 minutes when Macula powered forward and delivered an inviting cross, but none of his team-mates could apply the finishing touch.

That miss proved costly as Valletta gave themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half-time.

Balzan failed to clear a corner and the loose ball fell to Tanque, who kept his composure to fire home and reduce the deficit to 2-1.

The complexion of the match changed further three minutes into the second half when Grech received his second yellow card, leaving Balzan with ten men.

Valletta immediately looked to make their numerical advantage count and began pushing forward with greater purpose.

In the 51st minute, Balzan goalkeeper Manuel Djalo dived to his right to keep out Petar Sekulic’s free-kick.

The Citizens went even closer when Andrea Zammit met Thaylor Aldama’s cross, only for Djalo to get a touch to the effort and divert it against the upright.

Despite being a man down, Balzan remained dangerous on the counterattack and had an excellent opportunity to restore their two-goal cushion after 70 minutes. Amiel Guehi released Awosanya, but Maringa raced off his line to deny the Balzan forward.

Four minutes later, Valletta finally drew level.

Steve Borg? [No — source says Paiber] Paiber chipped the ball towards the unmarked Prsa, who headed beyond Djalo. The assistant referee initially ruled the goal out for offside, but an FVS review showed that the Croatian was onside and the decision was overturned.

Valletta continued to search for a winner and almost completed the comeback in the 89th minute, but Bruno Gomes sent a dipping header narrowly over the crossbar.

Neither side could find a decisive third goal, leaving Balzan to rue surrendering their early two-goal advantage while Valletta emerged with a point following an impressive recovery.

Balzan 2
Macula 6, Awosanya 14 pen

Valletta 2
Tanque 45, Prsa 74

Red card: Z. Grech (Balzan), 48.