Rabat Ajax 1
Naxxar Lions 3

Naxxar Lions returned to the top of the Division One standings after easing past Rabat Ajax yesterday.

The Lions came to fore after the interval to grab three priceless points that lift them one point clear of Senglea who however have played a game less.

The Magpies matched Naxxar in the first 45 minutes but could not keep the pace with the Lions on the restart as they remained third from bottom on 21 points.

Scoring chances were a rarity in the opening 45 minutes with both goalkeepers rarely tested.

On 15 minutes, Yuri De Jesus Messias tried his luck from a free-kick but his effort was blocked by Sean Mintoff.

At the other end, Dario Borg made space for himself but his rising shot missed the target.

But on the restart, Naxxar took control of proceedings and took the lead 12 minutes into the second half.

Duane Bonnici latched onto a long pass from goalkeeper Omar Borg and beat Mintoff with a firm volley.

On 69 minutes Goodman came close for Rabat but his effort flashed wide.

But Naxxar soon made it 2-0 on 73 minutes when  Messias connected to Jurgen Debono’s free-kick to head in from routine distance.

Naxxar put the game to bed with ten minutes to go when Bonnici sprinted on to a Grech through ball to drill the ball into the net.

Rabat scored a consolation goal in stoppage time when substitute Touray Ousman stabbed past goalkeeper Borg from close in.

Rabat: S. Mintoff, L. Cauchi J. Caruana, S. Gauci, A. Smeir, G. Bugeja, E. Jay Goodman, D. Borg (T. Ousman), C. Vella, A. Azzopardi (N. Attard), D. Azzopardi.

Naxxar: O. Borg, R. Mercieca, M. Fenech, D. Bonnici, R.G. Cassar, John Debono, R. Grech (L. J. Agius), D. Nocera Garcia, Jurgen Debono, S.J. Guevara Munoz (J. Ellul), Y. Messias (L. Andriuoli).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Best player: Duane Bonnici (Naxxar).