Qormi took a giant step towards securing their Premier League status for another season as a last-gasp goal from Alfred Effiong earned them a 1-0 win over Naxxar Lions at the Hibs Stadium.

Qormi were the better team for much of the opening 45 minutes.

On 11 minutes, Jorginho came close to give his team his lead when he saw his firm header coming off the upright while on 26 minutes Jorginho flicked the ball towards Gabriel but the Qormi midfielder failed to connect with only Azzopardi to beat.

Qormi continued to create the better chances on the restart and on 55 minutes Effiong sped past Angus Buhagiar but the Nigerian opted to conclude instead of serving the unmarked Jorginho with the result that his effort was blocked by Thiago.

Qormi created the best chance of the half on 70 minutes when the speedy Effiong released Grech and the speedy winger fired just wide with only Azzopardi to beat.

Fourteen minutes from time, the Lions suffered a blow when Gilmar powered his way into the area and looked to have been upended by Owen Bugeja but referee Marco Borg drew the ire of the Naxxar clan when he booked Gilmar for a simulation and as a result the Brazilian was dismissed as it was his second yellow card of the day.

Three minutes from time, Effiong almost won it for Qormi when the Nigerian was excellently picked by Cantoro but his firm volley flew just over.

There was more drama in stoppage time when Azzopardi pulled off a one-handed save to keep out Jorginho’s free-kick with the ball falling into the path of Cantoro whose rasping volley came off the bar before the Lions cleared.

At the other end, Vignjevic sped clear and quickly released Daren Falzon who was denied by a fine reflex save from Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

But it was Qormi who had the final say when Grech’s throughball released Effiong who ably turned past Azzopardi before burying the ball into the net to the delight of his team’s fans.

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