Birkirkara scored a goal in each half to see off bottom-placed Qormi 2-0 to keep up their pursuit of a top-three finish.

The Stripes soon seized control and after five minutes Mauricio Mazzetti saw his curling drive from a free-kick finish just over the bar.

Birkirkara’s pressure finally yielded an opener on 25 minutes.

From a short free-kick, Temile sped into the area before teeing up the ball for Mazzetti who sent a firm header into the roof of the net.

Qormi finally threatened on the stroke of half-time when Clifford Gauci showed great footwork to force his way into the area but his low cross towards the unmarked Djamel Leeflang was cut out by goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric.

On 57 minutes, Kopric almost handed an equaliser to Qormi when the Croatian goalkeeper failed to hold onto a long ball inside his area with the ball falling into the path of Ryan Micallef who fired wide.

The Stripes soon hit back and on 59 minutes, Scicluna’s low drive was palmed away by Vella onto the upright before the Qormi defence cleared.

Vella again distinguished himself 19 minutes from time when he dived full stretch to keep out Mujanovic’s shot.

Kopric came to Birkirkara’s rescue on 77 minutes when he showed great reflexes to tip away Yannick Yankam’s cross-shot who looked destined to hit the net.

Birkirkara killed off Qormi’s hopes with a second goal three minutes from time.

Temile was upended in the area by Emerson Vella and referee Alan Mario Sant pointed to the spot and dismissed the Qormi defender as he felt that he had stopped a clear scoring opportunity.

From the spot the Nigerian sent Vella the wrong way to complete a 2-0 win.

Birkirkara’s Frank Temile was voted as the BOV Player of the match.