Naxxar Lions 2
Għargħur 4
Għargħur survived the second-half dismissal of Isaac Chircop to stun leaders Naxxar.
It was a fine performance from Bobby Giorev’s men who have now moved level on points with second-from-bottom Fgura and thus boosting their hopes of avoiding the drop.
On their part, Naxxar remained one point clear at the top but could be leapfrogged by both Senglea and Qormi who are in action today.
Naxxar took the lead on 15 minutes. They were awarded a penalty when Ryan Cassar was pushed inside the area and Yuri De Jesus Messias scored from the spot.
Għargħur hit back and on the stroke of half-time Naxxar goalkeeper Omar Borg did well to deny Luke Busuttil.
Parity was restored two minutes into the second half. De Lima Nicolau found Muda Fagbeja who beat Borg with a low drive.
The goal spurred Għargħur forward and they took the lead on 55 minutes. Borg failed to hold Lima Nicolau’s shot and in came Busuttil to fire home.
On 69 minutes, Messias hit the bar from a free-kick and three minutes later Għargħur had Chircop sent off.
But five minutes from time, Fagbeja drilled the ball home and in stoppage time Busuttil rounded Borg to make it 4-1.
The Lions were rattled but they still managed to score a second goal through Lubos Adamec.
Naxxar: O. Borg, N. Spiteri, M. Fenech (J. Ellul), D. Bonnici (L.J. Agius), R. Cassar, John Debono, R. Grech, L. Andriuoli (S. Guevara Munoz), Jurgen Debono, L. Adamec, Y. Messias.
Għargħur: Z. Valletta, L. Galea, K. Fedele, D. Camilleri, J. Azzopardi, M. Sota, I. Chircop, M. Fagbeja (K. Conti), E. De Lima Nicolau (C. Gie), L. Vella, L. Busuttil.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Best player: Luke Busuttil (Għargħur).
Melita 1
Rabat Ajax 2
Rabat Ajax came from a goal down to overcome Melita and boost their chances of avoiding relegation.
The Magpies have now opened a six-point cushion-lead from second-from bottom Fgura with only five matches to go.
Melita forged ahead after 28 minutes. Alan Borg Olivier pounced on a long clearance and moved past Shaun Gauci before beating Sean Mintoff with a low drive.
But Rabat were not demoralised and they managed to draw level on 38 minutes against the run of play.
Adam Smeir was brought down in the area by Daniel Cutajar, who had just come on as a substitute.
From the spot, Chris Vella easily beat Grima.
On resumption Rabat started to dictate matters and on 55 minutes an Aidan Azzopardi effort was cleared off the line by Cutajar.
Rabat were unlucky on 72 minutes when Azzopardi’s lob came off the bar.
But the Magpies grabbed the winner soon after when Ryan Micallef turned past his marker and fired his shot into the net.
Melita: N. Grima, M. Cachia (D. Cutajar), A. Mizzi, R. Parrado, J. Abela, N. Bradshaw (L. Mifsud), E. Cornago, A. Xuereb, A. Borg Olivier, T. Singleton, L. Micallef (S. Schranz).
Rabat: S. Mintoff, S. Gauci, B. Micallef, A. Smeir (N. Attard), S. Abela (D. Falzon), G. Bugeja, E.J. Goodman, R. Micallef, C. Vella (K. Muscat), A. Azzopardi, D. Azzopardi.
Referee: Alex Johnson.
Best player: Ryan Micallef (Rabat).