League leaders Xewkija Tigers dropped two precious points in the race for the title after a 1-1 draw against Kerċem Ajax last weekend.
Nadur Youngsters profited from the Tigers’ slip-up when easing past Victoria Hotspurs 4-1 to cut the gap to four points with only five matches left.
The Tigers looked a disjointed lot for most of the match as Kerċem dominated the opening stages even though they failed to capitalise from the chances they had in front of goal.
Xewkija started coming more into the picture and took the lead on 36 minutes.
A loose ball ran into the path of Mario Mifsud who was denied by a goalline clearance by Rodney Buttigieg but Claudio Frances made no mistake when blasting home from close in.
Kerċem tried hard to avoid defeat and their efforts were rewarded three minutes from time when Manwel Xerri tripped Andrew Mizzi inside the box and Gustavo Amadio scored from the ensuing penalty to earn the Ajax a point.
The Hotspurs had four regulars serving suspension and their absence was felt as Nadur proved the stronger outfit on the day, scoring two goals in each half through Darko Stojanovic (34), Claudio Antunes (41), Dewide Dos Santos (56) and Brandon Said (62).
Joseph Vella pulled one back for the Hotspurs ten minutes from time.
Għajnsielem broke little sweat to outclass lowly Xagħra United 5-0 and keep alive their title hopes.
The Blacks were off to a flier and goals from John Camilleri (2, 14) and Jhon Jairo Sandoval Guarin (10) handed them a cushion 3-0 lead.
Then, Camilleri completed his hat-trick before Ferdinando Apap sealed the points with a fifth goal in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Oratory Youths eased their worries with a 4-0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers.
Oratory were all over their opponents and besides the goals they also had two attempts stopped by the woodwork. Oratory striker Everton Felipe Da Silva Santos scored a hat-trick with the other goal coming from Andres Debrincat.
Victoria’s Joseph Refalo was sent off on 68 minutes for a second bookable offence.
Division Two
Għarb Rangers are sharing the top position with St Lawrence Spurs at the end of the third round after edging past Sannat Lions 2-1.
Rangers opened a two-goal lead, following goals by Andrew Ofulue (41) and Oliver Farrugia (75). Ajibade Adeshina set up a tense finale when he pulled one back for the Lions 12 minutes from time.
However, Sannat were unable to avoid a second successive defeat, dealing their promotion hopes a blow as they trail the Spurs and Rangers by seven points.
In another match, Munxar Falcons beat Qala Saints 1-0, Oliver Curmi netting the goal that mattered six minutes after the restart.
Oratory and Xewkija reach the KO final
Oratory Youths earned a place in the GFA KO final for Division One clubs after rivals Victoria Hotspurs conceded a walk-over as they were unable to field a full-strength squad for the match.
The Youths will meet Xewkija Tigers in the final after a narrow 1-0 win over Għajnsielem. Dene Shields scored the only goal of the tie with a firm grounder on 30 minutes.
The Blacks, who had Edison Bilbao Zarate dismissed late on, could have levelled the score before half-time but a Chris Camilleri penalty flew over the crossbar.