Birkirkara 2
Dimitrov-Mihaylov 10; Sokolov 73
Marsaxlokk 3
Pereira 19, 56; Alcorse 86
Birkirkara took on Marsaxlokk yesterday but the eyes of the fans and the neutrals were not only on the two teams engaged in conflict at a rainswept National Stadium.
The duel between Marsaxlokk and Msida St Joseph for the sixth and final berth in the Championship Pool loomed large over this encounter as the Blues faced a must-win scenario to stay in the hunt.
On the other hand, anything but a victory for Marsaxlokk would have confirmed Msida's presence in the top six and with only five minutes left, it looked as if the Saints were well on their way to sealing their mission as the score was 2-2.
But, Marsaxlokk had the final word as Julio Alcorse struck four minutes from time to give his side a 3-2 victory and set up a decisive showdown with Msida when the two rivals meet in their final second round match on Saturday.
Amid Marsaxlokk's euphoria and the frustration of the watching Msida officials, it was easy to forget that Birkirkara's defeat meant that the Stripes missed the chance to close the gap on Hibs and Valletta.
Birkirkara captain Michael Galea failed to shrug off the injury he picked up in the 3-2 defeat of Sliema Wanderers last week. His absence induced coach John Buttigieg to hand a starting role to Bulgarian forward Kiril Dimitrov-Mihaylov who impressed as a second-half substitute against Sliema.
Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi also had to make do without a key player yesterday as Malta midfielder Kevin Sammut received a one-match suspension in midweek.
The first scoring chance came Marsaxlokk's way after five minutes. Malcolm Licari picked Alcorse whose downward header was too weak to trouble Omar Borg.
The stalemate was broken five minutes later and it was Birkirkara who struck first.
George Mallia was at the heart of the move as the midfielder directed a fine pass towards Dimitrow-Mihaylov who fired a strong shot past Reuben Debono.
The concession of an early goal was widely seen as a blow for Marsaxlokk who refused to lie down. The southerners needed only nine minutes to get back on level terms.
For the second time in a 15-minute period, Birkirkara were found wanting at the back as Carlo Mamo's curling cross from the left sailed into the path of Marcelo Pereira who headed past Borg.
The exchanges remained evenly-poised with Birkirkara looking more dangerous on the break.
Seven minutes from half-time, Ron Hartvig should have restored Birkirkara's lead when Shaun Bajada's corner from the right dropped in his path at the far post. Much to Marsaxlokk's relief, the Danish defender skewed his shot high and wide.
The quality of the attacking football improved as the first half drifted into the final stages. Receiving a pass on the edge of the area, Bajada gunned for goal but his grounder came off the diving Conceicao.
The opening exchanges of the second half were bereft of creative football but the fortuitous manner of Marsaxlokk's goal after 11 minutes was in keeping with the scrappy nature of the match.
There seemed little danger for Borg when Cassar mustered a shot from the distance but the Birkirkara goalkeeper could only watch incredulously as the ball sailed past him after taking a decisive deflection off Pereira.
Birkirkara substitute Angus Buhagiar threatened to make an instant impact as he was first to Bajada's set-piece cross but his far-post header was kept out by Debono.
Marsaxlokk's optimism received a setback when Birkirkara made it 2-2 with 18 minutes remaining. Bajada, chipped over a looping cross from a free-kick and Ivailo Sokolov rose high to head past Debono.
Eleven minutes from time, Marsaxlokk came close to restoring their one-goal lead as Cassar's free-kick from the left was met by Brian Said but Borg dived sharply to his right to make a fine save.
In no time, it was Marsaxlokk who survived a mighty scare when Dimitrov-Mihaylov hit wide from point blank after receiving from Bajada.
Birkirkara paid dearly for this miss as, with four minutes remaining, Marsaxlokk struck the winner. Latching onto a pass from substitute Chris Camilleri, Alcorse darted into the box before shooting at goal. His effort ricocheted off Borg and bobbled into the net.
Birkirkara
O. Borg-6, J. Zerafa-5, S. Bajada-7.5, R. Hartvig-5.5, I. Sokolov-6 ('89 K. Valkov), P. Fenech-5, J. Holland-5 ('59 A. Buhagiar-5.5), G. Mallia-5.5, T. Cilia-5, K. Dimitrov-Mihaylov-6, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5.5.
Marsaxlokk
R. Debono-5.5, M. Licari-5.5 ('85 M. Barbara), C. Mamo-6, B. Said-6.5, R. Conceicao-6, P. Pullicino-6.5, G. Sciberras-6, M. Pereira-6.5, D. Kokavessis-5.5 ('61 C. Camilleri-5), C. Cassar-6.5 ('89 W. Camenzuli), J. Alcorse-5.5.
Referee: Marco Borg
Yellow cards: Dimitrov-Mihaylov; Sokolov; Sciberras.
BoV player of the match: Marcelo Pereira (Marsaxlokk).