MOSTA-2, GZIRA UNITED-0
Mosta scored two late goals to beat Gzira United in a relegation-promotion play-off.
The game looked to be heading for extra-time but late strikes from Udo Fortune ad Gary Roberts ensured that Mosta kept their top-flight status, leaving the defiant Gzira United shell shocked.
A balanced first half saw Gzira United create the better chances in the early stages but Mosta finished the stronger side.
Gzira United striker Ryan Dalli tried his luck with a long-range free-kick but his effort was high and wide.
The Division One side were dictating matters.
Former Malta international Jamie Pace also went close with a rising free-kick that sailed over the crossbar.
The Maroons appealed for a penalty when Dalli went down under the challenge of Ryan Grech but referee Philip Farrugia saw nothing wrong.
There was another good chance for Gzira when John Nwoba created space for a shot on the edge of the box but he drove high.
Mosta improved as the first half progressed. Ian Zammit went close but his rising effort flew over the crossbar.
Moments later, Tyrone Farrugia sent his header over the bar after anticipating Gzira United goalkeeper Anthony Curmi to meet Ryan Grech's free-kick.
The Blues were unlucky not to seize the lead as Ian Zammit's grounder hit the post and, from the rebound, Ekani hit wide from close in.
Gzira refused to lie down. They created a good chance but Dalli's strike was turned away by Borg. From the corner, taken by Yannis Tonna, the ball sailed towards Pace whose goalbound header was cleared by Ekani.
On the stroke of half-time, Mosta were again denied by the woodwork as Adrian Borg's backheader, from Dyson Falzon's free-kick, came off the crossbar.
Mosta started the second half in brisk fashion. Ekani hit wide from an angled position.
Four minutes past the hour, Mosta won a penalty after Gabriel Aquilina brought down Farrugia in the box. Zammit stepped up to take the penalty but his drive was parried away by Curmi.
The Gzira goalkeeper was prominent again keeping out Zammit's close-range header from Ekani's cross.
After this flurry of chances, the game petered out but Mosta came good in the dying stages.
Substitute Udo Fortune broke the deadlock, heading home from Ekani's cross and, in stoppage time, Roberts concluded a counter-attack by rifling past Curmi.