Xewkija Tigers inflicted a 5-2 defeat on SK Victoria Hotspurs in their penultimate match of the championship to regain sole leadership, one point ahead of Nadur Youngsters who they meet in a decisive last match of the season on Sunday.
The Tigers opened the score in the ninth minute through Elton Vella but the Wanderers levelled matters on 21 minutes with an Ajibade Adesina header.
Play was balanced for most of the first half but Xewkija still managed to regain the lead just before the interval when Christian Bugeja hit home following a fast break.
The Tigers started to dictate matters after the break and increased their lead on the hour with a John Camilleri goal.
The Wanderers had a strong reaction and pulled one back on 72 minutes through Edinson Sanchez Estrada following a fine solo move.
But Xewkija were not letting this match escape from their grasp and two goals from Chris Camilleri (82) and John Camilleri (88) secured victory for the leaders who only need a draw against second-placed Nadur to clinch the title.
In an eventful match from the other end of the standings, Victoria Hotspurs beat Għajnsielem 4-2 to join the Blacks on the 16-point mark.
Now, these two teams will have to figure in a decider to determine the side automatically going down to Division Two.
Għajnsielem opened a two-goal lead with early goals from Jurgen Tashi (11) and Jason Portelli (17).
The Hotspurs produced a determined reaction during the final stages of the first period and Julius Emanche reduced the deficit from a free-kick but then saw his penalty saved by keeper Richard Sammut.
The Citizens were not demoralised though and levelled the score on 55 minutes from another penalty, this time taken by Daniel Farrugia. Għajnsielem had Joseph Buttigieg sent off for his infringement in the box.
The Hotspurs took advantage of the extra player and turned the result in their favour with a Farrugia goal before sealing the issue in stoppage time through Antoine Camilleri.
Meanwhile, Sannat secured their status with a 3-1 win over Xagħra.
Xagħra took the lead with a 44th-minute Ejo Nkwocha strike.
But Sannat’s efforts were finally rewarded on 88 minutes when Eric Nwankwo headed home from close in and two minutes later he fired in goal following a melee inside the six-yard box.
In stoppage time, Xagħra had substitute Michael Bezzina sent off and one minute later the referee awarded Sannat a penalty and Diego Maradona Petriaggi made it 3-1 from the spot.