Pietà Hotspurs boosted their chances of avoiding the drop when they needed a first-half goal from Luke Micallef to see off Qormi 1-0 at the Tedesco Stadium.

The Hotspurs enjoyed the better start and on eight minutes Jurgen Pisani sped clear on the left before sending a dipping cross into the path of Luke Micallef who headed the ball just over.

On 18 minutes the Hotspurs were forced to make their first change when goalkeeper David Cassar suffered an injury when closing down the advancing Frank Temile. He was replaced in goal by Miguel Montfort.

Daniel Frances lit up the game on 31 minutes when the nippy Argentine bamboozled two Qormi defenders before teeing up Micallef who beat goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia with a low drive to put the Hotspurs ahea Qormi tried to step up their game after the interval and on 48 minutes Effiong connected to Frank Temile’s corner kick but his header flashed wide.

Six minutes later, Joseph Chetcuti hit a volley from the edge of the area that finished just over.

Chetcuti had another opportunity on the hour but he headed into the sidenetting from routine distance.

Micallef should have killed off Qormi on 71 minutes when Rafael Rodrigues played in Micallef who turned past Farrugia but his low shot hit the upright before finishing out of play.

The Pietà striker had another gilt-edged opportunity 11 minutes from time when he was put clear by Frances but he took too much time to conclude and was blocked by the onrushing Farrugia.

Two minutes later, Frances was again the provider when his throughball released Pisani who was denied by Farrugia.

Pietà striker Luke Micallef was voted as the BOV Player of the match.