A top-of-the-table clash between Birkirkara and Valletta drew a huge crowd to Ta' Qali national stadium this afternoon.

Birkirkara won the game 1-0, enabling them to surge four points clear at the top of the league table.

But while goal action was lacking in the 90-minute encounter, there was plenty of entertainment on the terraces as supporters from the two sides backed by brass bands, traded less them complimentary chants at each other.

The Valletta side - which was the more populated - was a sea of white and red with the yellow and red stripes dominating the opposite side - with some white from Hibernians supporters who stayed on from the previous match and joined the Birkirkara supporters.

Both supporters were separated by a large contingent of policemen, who also ensured that the supporters followed different routes on the way home.

No serious incidents were reported in the ground but readers reported that some supporters were injured in a traffic accident near the stadium immediately after the match.

(See match report in sports section).