Żebbuġ Rangers stepped up their relegation fight as they needed a Rashid Yussuf goal late in the match to see off struggling Qormi 1-0 in a tight derby at the Hibs Stadium.

The match was evenly balanced in the first half with scoring chances few and far between.

Qormi created the better opportunities towards the end of the half when on 43 minutes Alfred Effiong pounced on  a miscommunication between Żebbuġ goalkeeper Matthew Bartolo and Yessous Camilleri to move clear but in front of a gaping goal he fired the ball into the side netting.

Two minutes later, the Nigerian had another golden opportunity when he was put clear by Marcelinho and this time he directed a low shot just wide.

On the restart, Żebbuġ stepped up their game and on 65 minutes Matthew Bartolo’s dipping shot was tipped onto the bar by Farrugia before the Qormi defence cleared.

Qormi came agonisingly close on 73 minutes when Edafe met Marcelinho’s corner-kick and his dipping header forced Bartolo into a one-handed save. Micallef was first to the rebound but he headed over from routine distance.

Eleven minutes from time, Żebbuġ were regaled with a winner when Yussuf stole possession from the dithering Bernstton and the English forward stabbed the ball past Farrugia.

Żebbuġ midfielder Matthias Muchardi was voted as the BOV Player of the match.