Fgura United 0
Pieta Hotspurs 1

Pieta Hotspurs kept their slim hopes of a promotion play-off alive after beating Fgura United by a solitary goal last night.

Although Fgura fought hard near the end of the match and seriously tested Miguel Montfort in the Hotspurs goal, Pieta were the best team and could have put their minds at rest much earlier.

Fgura are still in trouble of relegation as they stay six points ahead of third-bottom San Ġwann.

Before kick-off, Fgura striker Simon Shead was presented with a memento on his 400th match in senior football.

Patrick Curmi’s side scored the goal that mattered on 25 minutes when Kyle Cesare’s first-time effort from outside the area flew past keeper Kurt Pace and into the net.

Karl Micallef saw his effort finishing just over as Pieta continued to dominate. Cesare then released team-mate Rizgalla whose shot smashed against the bar.

Fgura pressed hard for an equaliser after the break.

A Joe Farrugia inswinger was kept out by Montfort before Francisco Arriagada was foiled by the Pieta no.1 who dived full stretch to save the Fgura substitute’s shot.

Farrugia tried his luck from outside the box but his effort was dealt with in style by Montfort.

Fgura: K. Pace, A. Farrugia, I. Curmi, D. Vukovic, S.S. Escobar (F. Arriagada), S. Shead (J. Farrugia), R. Marmara, J.M. Ruiz Perez, L.V. Critien, R. Costa, Q. Bregman.

Pieta: M. Montfort, K. Micallef, C. Degabriele, C. Grech, N. Pace Cocks, D. Agius, K. Cesare (J. Busuttil), A. Mizzi, J. Scicluna, J. Gorskie, W. Rizgalla.

Referee: Eman Grech.

Best player: Ayrton Mizzi (Pieta).