Rabat Ajax 0
Sta Venera L. 1
\nSta Venera Lightnings won this crucial promotion clash against Rabat Ajax with a second-half Mark Grech penalty deciding the issue for Alfred Attard's team.
The Magpies perhaps looked better throughout the 90 minutes but their hopes of direct promotion have now been jolted.
After only five minutes Rabat were denied a certain goal following an excellent save by Lightnings keeper Sandro Rapinett off a Keith Micallef volley.
Rabat were then again close through a Micallef shot which was again saved by the Saints keeper. The Lightnings hit back with two insidious corners well taken by Glen Micallef.
In the closing stages of the first period Rabat were almost on the mark through Micallef and Christian Muscat. After the change of ends Rabat continued to press forward. However, in a rare attack on 66 minutes Sta Venera were awarded a penalty for a foul on Dylan Mercieca. Grech made no mistake from the spot.
Sta Venera defender Yau Mun Law came to his side's rescue when clearing off the line a Kayne Said shot and on another occasion Adam Smeir blasted wide from a good position.
Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.
Birzebbuga Sp 4
Luqa St Andrews 0
Edward Darmanin's Birzebbuga maintained the pace with the championship front-runners after an easy 4-0 victory over next-from-bottom Luqa.
Birzebbuga keeper Ludvic Fardell has now kept a clean sheet for ten consecutive matches.
The seasiders opened the score after just seven minutes through a lob by Neville Farrugia following a Franco Francalanza cross.
Farrugia and Vince Camilleri had good chances to add to Birzebbuga's lead and at the other end Luqa's Jesmond Azzopardi had an attempt at goal that just missed the target.
Birzebbuga doubled their lead on 16 minutes after a good move between James Galea and Noel Tabone ended with Farrugia beating Scicluna in style.
Nine minutes after the restart, substitute Mark Piccinino made it 3-0 following a cross by Noel Tabone. A minute from time, Farrugia notched a hat-trick to crown a perfect day for him and Birzebbuga.
Referee: Sammy Attard.
Mgarr United 2
Pembroke Athleta 1
A late Chris Abela goal saw Mgarr United chalking up their seventh win of the season to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the play-offs.
Mgarr created their first opportunity after just two minutes when an Abela attempt was saved with difficulty by Debattista. Pembroke's response produced a header by Robert Zammit which went inches wide.
Debattista was again on hand in the 10th minute when he saved a Neil Busuttil effort and Nicky Aquilina almost scored for Pembroke following a David Azzopardi corner.
On 30 minutes, Mgarr were once again stopped by Debattista. He did well to deny Luke Muscat.
In a swift counter-break 10 minutes after the break, Muscat scored to put Mgarr on their way.
However, Pembroke drew level 20 minutes from time with a David Azzopardi goal.
The match looked heading for a draw but Abela hit the goal that mattered for Mgarr in the 85th minute after working his way clear past the Pembroke rearguard.
Referee: Feodor Zammit.
Ghaxaq 1
Zurrieq 1
Zurrieq dropped two precious points in their bid to make the play-offs. Ghaxaq played a good match and deserved the point they won.
Zurrieq opened the scored after seven minutes following a Dino Bonnici drive from the edge of the penalty area. They maintained the upperhand and Ghaxaq keeper Paul Celeste had to be alert not to suffer other goals following attempts by Matthew Genuis and Robert Bajada.
Ghaxaq ventured forward on the half-hour mark and Kevin Tonna tested the Zurrieq keeper with a firm drive.
On 36 minutes Tonna profited from an indecision by Zurrieq to fire home Ghaxaq's equaliser.
The opening stages of the second half belonged to Ghaxaq with Sandro Lapira and Michael Caruana very active for their side.
But, gradually Zurrieq started to apply some pressure on the Ghaxaq goal with Celeste making providential saves to deny Daniel Zammit and Bonnici.
Late in the match Zurrieq hit the crossbar following a Joe Lia cross shot.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.