Champions Xewkija Tigers and title rivals Nadur Youngsters dropped their first points of the championship after being held to a 1-1 draw by Kerċem Ajax and Victoria Hotspurs respectively.
Following these results, the first-round clash between the two pace-setters, scheduled for November 1, will establish the early favourites for the title.
Xewkija tried to seize control during the early stages but, as the game progressed, Kerċem became more dangerous through efforts by Anderson Ribeiro.
On the half-hour mark, the Brazilian surprised goalkeeper Adrian Parnis with a low shot to put Kerċem ahead.
Xewkija were clearly determined to level matters as the second half got under way and on 58 minutes they equalised thanks to a header by John Camilleri.
Kerċem missed a golden opportunity to regain the lead on 68 minutes as the unmarked Ribeiro concluded badly in front of goal.
In the remaining minutes, the Tigers saw more of the ball.
Kerċem goalkeeper Leonard Camilleri saved a point for his side with fine saves from attempts by Daniel Bogdanovic, John Camilleri and Kenneth Mercieca in the dying stages.
Victoria Hotspurs pulled off their second consecutive positive result after gaining a point from their clash with Nadur Youngsters.
The Hotspurs were undoubtedly the better side during the first period.
They opened the scoring seven minutes from half-time when Rodney Buttigieg headed the ball home.
Nadur fought back after the break. On 68 minutes, substitute Joseph Vella made the score even with a low drive from the edge of the area.
Nadur intensified their efforts as they looked to turn the result in their favour but their strikers were erratic in their finishing.
With six minutes left, a header by substitute Charles Mercieca was cleared off the line after the ball had come off the crossbar and minutes later, a low shot by Claudio Antunes also hit the post.
Oratory Youths moved up to the third in the table after edging Sannat Lions 2-1.
For long stretches, most of the action was restricted in midfield but two minutes into the second half, Sannat went ahead with a tap-in from Fernando De Andrade.
Their lead was short-lived as two minutes later, the Youths levelled with a header from Thiago Dos Santos. Oratory struck the decisive goal in the first minute of stoppage time thanks to Shaun Attard.
St Lawrence Spurs beat SK Victoria Wanderers by the odd goal in three to claim their first win in the championship which lifted them off the bottom of the table.
Jason Theuma (23) and Christopher Cauchi (25) hit the back of the net from corner actions to give the Spurs a 2-0 lead.
Victoria’s Sanz Ortiz should have reduced the deficit on 36 minutes but his strike hit the post.
The Wanderers increased their pressure to reopen the issue but failed to force an equaliser after Oliver Farrugia had pulled one back 18 minutes from time.
Division Two
In the first matches from the second round of the Division Two championship, Xagħra United obtained their first win after beating second-placed Munxar Falcons.
Xagħra took the lead after 10 minutes through Joseph Xerri but Alex Sacco levelled early in the second half.
On 69 minutes, Victor John Saliba scored to put Xagħra back in front.
The two teams were then reduced to 10 men after Munxar’s Garry Hili (73) and Xagħra’s Steve Sultana (74) were shown the red card.
Xagħra sealed their victory with a third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time, scored by substitute Alfred Tabone.
In another match from the same category, Għarb Rangers did the double on Żebbuġ Rovers after beating them 2-1.
It was Żebbuġ who broke the deadlock through Sylvan Galea (51) but Għarb overturned the deficit with late goals from substitute Stephen Apap (83) and a Frank Attard penalty (89).
Another two games from the Division Two championship were played on Wednesday.
Lowly Qala Saints sprung a surprise after handing Għajnsielem their first defeat of the season at the Kerċem Ajax stadium.
Kenny Hili had fired Għajnsielem ahead on 59 minutes but their hopes suffered a massive blow when Charlon Tabone was sent off 18 minutes from time.
Alan Cini equalised for Qala Saints and, to make matters worse for the Blacks, Matthew Portelli missed a penalty 13 minutes from time.
In stoppage time, Għajnsielem’s Joshua Cassar was sent off for a penalty-box infringement and Manuel Buttigieg scored from the spot to give Qala a dramatic win.
Munxar Falcons obtained a 4-2 victory over Żebbuġ Rovers.
Alex Sacco, Stefan Farrugia, Orlando Atzori and Patrick Falzon were the scorers for the Falcons while Manwel Cordina and Alex Tramboo were on target for Żebbuġ.