Liga Sagres: Pacos de Ferreira 1 Maritimo 1

Pacos de Ferreira blew the chance to claim a vital three points after conceding a late goal in their 1-1 Liga Sagres draw with Maritimo.

Winless in their last six matches heading into Friday’s clash at the Estadio da Mata Real, cellar-dwellers Pacos desperately needed a victory to help cut the four point gap to second-from-bottom Uniao de Leiria.

After a quiet first half where Pacos enjoyed most of the possession, the hosts finally looked as though they would break the deadlock when Joao Diogo gave a away a penalty on 58 minutes.

Maritimo goalkeeper Pecanha pulled off a fine save to deny the hosts from the spot though, but there was nothing the Brazilian could do five minutes later when Paraguayan Lorenzo Melgarejo did find the back of the net.

The Maritimo defence failed to deal with a cross from the right flank, and the ball fell invitingly for Melgarejo to slam home at the back post.

But just as it looked like Pacos would claim just their third win of the season, Papa Diawara scored for Maritimo with six minutes left on the clock to ensure the visitors would leave with a share of the points.