Sliema Wanderers and Marsaxlokk were forced to settle for a point apiece after playing out a drab goalless draw at the Tedesco Stadium, a result that did little to excite the fans in attendance.

In a match largely devoid of quality and clear-cut chances, the final stalemate proved to be a fair reflection of proceedings. Both sides struggled to impose themselves, with long spells of uninspired football and very little goalmouth action.

The draw also dealt a blow to Sliema’s ambitions of mounting a late push for a top-two finish. The Wanderers must now rely on second-placed Ħamrun Spartans dropping points against Floriana on Wednesday if they are to take the race to the final day of the season, when they face the champions on Sunday.

Sliema were led by interim coach Noel Turner following the departure of Paul Zammit, but the Blues found it difficult to leave their mark on the encounter. Their play lacked fluency and creativity, particularly in the final third.

Marsaxlokk enjoyed the better of the opening half and were closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval. On 13 minutes, Barros Santos unleashed a firm drive that was well saved by Sliema goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi. The Sliema custodian was again called into action just two minutes later, reacting sharply to keep out a header from the same forward.

On the half-hour mark, Marsaxlokk threatened once more when Juan Corbalan tried his luck from distance, his powerful effort finishing narrowly over the crossbar.

After that brief spell of action, the match slipped into a lull, with both teams cancelling each other out and chances becoming increasingly rare. The next real opportunity did not arrive until the 73rd minute and it fell Sliema’s way.

Vito Plut capitalised on a moment of indecision by Oualid El Hasni to burst into the area and turn past Maffoumbi, but just as it seemed the deadlock would be broken, Enrico Pepe produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny the Wanderers.

That proved to be the final meaningful moment of a largely forgettable contest, as both sides ultimately had to be content with a share of the points.