GFA Division One leaders Nadur Youngsters maintained a three-point lead at the top of the standings following a 3-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs as nearest rivals Xewkija Tigers edged lowly Sannat Lions 1-0 to keep their title defence bid alive.

St Lawrence keeper Joseph Grima made three fine saves in the early stages of the match but could do nothing to stop Nadur from opening the scoring on 16 minutes when Claudio Antunes hit home from Joseph Vella’s cross.

After that the Youngsters failed to impose their superiority and the Spurs had their best opportunity to level matters midway through the second half but a header by Lawrence Grima was stopped by goalkeeper Mark Grima.

Nadur made sure of victory with a late Joseph Vella double as Christopher Cauchi fumbled a good chance to pull one back for the Spurs when lifting his shot over the crossbar from a good position.

Xewkija had to work harder than expected to see off Sannat’s challenge.

Kenneth Mercieca and Daniel Bogdanovic went close for the champions while Sannat might have taken the lead but Eric Nwankwo fired wide from a good position.

Xewkija’s Dene Shields had his attempt cleared off the line by Akande Williams and a free-kick by Nicholas Micallef before half-time was high.

The champions doubled their efforts as the second half got underway.

Christian Bugeja and Bogdanovic went close while, at the other end, Luke Attard concluded badly following a quick Sannat counter-break.

Xewkija had two penalty calls dismissed and Chris Camilleri even had the ball in the Sannat net but the ‘goal’ was disallowed for offside.

Sannat keeper Angelo Brignoli was on the right spot to keep out a Bogdanovic shot and a headed attempt by Shields.

However, Brignoli was beaten on 88 minutes when Shields rifled home from a Joseph Cefai cross.

Division Two

Munxar Falcons consolidated second place in the table after a 2-1 win over Għarb Rangers.

Munxar took the lead through Frank Paul Azzopardi in the opening half as Rangers were reduced to 10 players on the hour when Josef Portelli was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Munxar profited from their extra player on the field by adding a second goal on 75 minutes through Stefan Farrugia.

Għarb’s Frank Attard narrowed the deficit four minutes later but Munxar held on for three precious points.

In a basement clash, Żebbuġ Rovers beat Qala Saints 3-1 to move off bottom place.

Matthion Formosa put Rovers ahead but Manuel Buttigieg levelled matters from a penalty on 27 minutes.

Żebbuġ regained the lead with another Formosa goal 10 minutes after the restart as Qala finished the match with 10 players following Alan Cini’s dismissal late on.

The Rovers made sure of the points in stoppage time with a goal from Samuel Muscat.