Malta 25
Sweden 23

A last-gasp James O'Brien penalty handed Malta a nail-biting victory over Sweden in a pulsating encounter in front of a packed Hibs Ground yesterday.

Damien Neill's men gained an edge when man-of-the-match O'Brien scored two tries and the team was leading 22-18 with only a few minuts left. However, the Swedes launched a stirring fightback and Andrew Daish looked to have dashed the Maltese hopes when he put the visitors one point ahead with only one minute left.

But, the national team was not to be denied and, roared on by the vociferous crowd, their efforts were finally rewarded with a dramatic penalty conversion by O'Brien that handed Malta a first home victory of the season in the Nations Cup. More importantly, the three points mean Division 2B rugby for another two seasons.

"Unbelievable," a beaming O'Brien told The Sunday Times after the match.

"I think it would have been a great injustice had we lost this one as we played our best rugby against a very physical team who had some quality players in their ranks.

"After the upset in Croatia, we had to get back to winning ways... this was so crucial for us. When they scored that late try something inside kept telling me that we were going to have another chance."

O'Brien scored 15 points yesterday but that penalty conversion was vital. As he was about to take the kick you could hear a needle fall at the Hibs Ground.

"I felt no pressure, really... I was sure I was not going to miss. The joy was immense... it was great to see those scenes of joy at the stadium."

Neill effected four changes to the team that lost 34-14 to Croatia as Matthew Mirabelli, Oliver Sacco, Paul Marzella and Daryl Psaila were drafted in from the start. Ian Borda retained his place to collect a record-equalling 32nd cap for the country.

Tim Johansson converted a penalty from a couple of metres out after eight minutes. But just past the 15-minute mark the hosts struck.

From a Harry Collins line-out the ball fell to Mirabelli who quickly set up Rohan Spiteri. He spotted O'Brien steaming down the wing and the Waterloo player chalked up Malta's first points with a try - 5-3.

The Maltese kept pushing forward. On 25 minutes the Swedes failed to control Spiteri's long ball and in came O'Brien who released Marzella for another try.

O'Brien converted the penalty to extend the lead to 12-3.

Sweden were enjoying more possession and when everyone thought Malta could hold on to their nine-point advantage, Thomas Arvidsson breezed past four opponents for a try to close the gap to 12-8.

The Swedes were firing on all cylinders at the restart. Paul Mathews profited from some poor positioning in the Maltese backline to score his team's second try which was converted by Johansson. Sweden shot in front 15-12.

However, their joy was shortlived as from a quick raid Spiteri put Lee Culnane through for Malta's third try of the match.

The home team kept up the tempo and on 55 minutes O'Brien again showed his undoubted skills, storming past the line to put Malta seven points clear - 22-15.

But Sweden soon trimmed that gap to four points when Johansson converted another penalty.

The Nordics were applying some heavy pressure now and our defence was finally breached when Daish scored a crucial try very late in the match. But, the Maltese failed to buckle, the crowd was pushing them forward again. The ref awarded Malta a penalty from a few metres out deep into stoppage time. The tension was high but O'Brien held composure and duly converted for a dramatic victory.

Other result: Netherlands vs Latvia 57-3.

Standings: Netherlands (6-0-0) 18; Croatia (5-0-1) 16; Malta (3-0-3) 12; Sweden (1-0-5) 8; Latvia (0-0-6) 6.

Malta: I. Borda, H. Collins, P. Bradley, L. Watts, D. Psaila, M. Bonavia, J. Howlands, R. Bonavia, M. Mirabelli, R. Spiteri, L. Culnane 5, D. Busuttil, P. Marzella 5, O. Sacco, J. O'Brien 15.

Subs used: T. Pace Moore, J. Finlason.

Sweden: M. Macdonald, J.O. Johansson, M. Thorhard, I. Bengtsson, V. Pettersson, A. Letele, A. Daish 5, S. Taylor, L. Sandberg, T. Ardvisson 5, S. Tegunimataka, P. Mathews 5, A. Taylor, J. Borg, T. Johansson 8.

Subs used: F. Cassalhag, P. Sullivan, P. Wiklund, R. Ormberg.

Referee: Peter Hoffman (Portugal).