Pietá Hotspurs created a major upset when they came from behind to stun title contenders Birkirkara 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Tedesco Stadium.

The Hotspurs immediately showed their intentions as they took the lead after seven minutes.

In a quick break Kyle Cesare picked Luke Micallef inside the area and the former Melita forward headed past Justin Haber from close in.

Birkirkara fought back and they drew level on 23 minutes. They were awarded a corner-kick and Rafael Ledesma’s cross was met by Ellinton who headed past Montfort.

Birkirkara kept up the pressure and they grabbed a second goal five minutes from the break. It was again the Ledesma-Ellinton partnership that made the trick as the former picked his forward partner with a calibrated pass and the Brazilian striker sent a downward header past Montfort.

Here, Coleiro effected his first change when he withdrew Rafael Xavier and roped in Frances as he looked for more penetration from his team.

The Hotspurs started the second half strongly and on 52 minutes Terrance Agius hit a blistering strike from 20 metres out that flew into the top corner of the net.

But their joy was short-lived as three minutes later Paul Fenech was upended in the area by Cain Attard with referee Sandro Spiteri pointing to the spot. Ledesma kept his cool to drill the ball past Montfort.

But Pietà were not dead yet and 12 minutes from time Haber was adjudged to have hit Tasic’s head in his attempt to clear the ball and a second penalty was awarded. Jurgen Pisani stepped up and sent Haber the wrong way to make it 3-3.

But the Hotspurs were not satisfied with a point and six minutes from time Pisani picked Frances on the edge of the area and the Argentine striker’s curling drive flew into the net.