Andre Schembri’s Omonia Nicosia lost ground in their pursuit for Europa League qualification when they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Cypriot First Division on Sunday.

Malta striker Schembri was included in the starting formation but could not find the net and was substituted 15 minutes from time as AEK claimed a crucial victory courtesy of a first-half Ivan Trickovski goal.

Victory enabled AEK to cut the gap on leaders APOEL Nicosia to four points after the latter’s 2-2 draw with Apollon Limassol.

Omonia remained in fourth place on 55 points, two adrift of third-placed Apollon Limassol who occupy the last qualifying spot for next season’s Europa League qualifiers.

Elsewhere, Steve Borg was an unused substitute for Aris Limassol who were held to a 2-2 draw by Achnas in a Relegation Pool match.

The result left Aris in third spot in the six-team group on 34 points, nine clear of bottom-placed Achnas.

In the Italian Lega Pro, Zach Muscat played the full match as Akragas were held to a 1-1 draw by Martina Franca in Agrigento.

The result left Akragas in a mid-table position on 36 points, seven clear of fifth-bottom position which means relegation play-offs.

Dover Athletic, who have Malta U-21 defender Sam Magri on their books, strengthened their promotion chances to League Two in England when they had the better of Halifax Town 1-0.

Magri played the full 90 minutes as Dover bagged the three points to leapfrog Tranmere into fourth spot on 71 points, 18 behind leaders Cheltenham Town who, however, played two games more.

Meanwhile, Manny Muscat’s Wellington Phoenix crashed to a 4-1 home defeat to Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League.

Muscat played the whole 90 minutes as Wellington Phoenix were no match to the Melbourne side who were already 2-0 ahead at half-time.

The result left Phoenix in ninth place on 25 points and with no hope of making the play-offs.