Ħamrun Spartans 2
Żebbuġ Rangers 1

Ħamrun Spartans kept alive their slim hopes of avoiding the drop when they shocked promotion hopefuls Żebbuġ Rangers at the Tedesco Stadium.

Despite the disparity between the two teams, the match was a balanced affair with Simon Shead netting the Spartans’ winner.

The Reds remained bottom but have cut the gap on third-from-bottom Msida to seven points.

After a balanced start, it wast the Spartans who threatened on 21 minutes when Glenn Azzopardi was denied by Żebbuġ goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

Żebbuġ responded a minute later when Mauricio Britto’s shot was pushed away by Jean Debattista.

On 35 minutes Ħamrun forged ahead when Simon Shead headed home following a corner.

Żebbuġ reacted immediately and five minutes from the break they drew level through a Britto grounder.

On 43 minutes, Britto almost struck again but his effort came off the bar.

The Spartans were more aggressive on the restart but it was Żebbuġ who came close on 65 minutes when Kenneth Scicluna picked Clifford Gauci who drove the ball wide.

The Spartans scored the winner on 67 minutes when Ryan Spiteri found Shead who hit a low drive past Farrugia.

Żebbuġ doubled their efforts in search of an equaliser but Ħamrun held on for a vital victory.

Ħamrun: J.C. Debattista, A. Micallef, L. Grech (G. Formosa), A. Borg, M. Busuttil, J. Felice, J. Grech, M. Cornago del Pedro, G. Azzopardi (R. Refalo, 46’), R. Spiteri, S. Shead (A. Sicali).

Żebbuġ: J. Farrugia, Y. Camilleri, R. Mandic, M. Gauci (D. da Silva Silveira), K. Scicluna, T. Paris, M. Farrugia, C. Gauci (J. Nwoba), A. Tabone, M. Britto, A. Riberio (O. Rababah).

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Man of the match: Simon Shead (Ħamrun S.)