Sliema Wanderers kept their hopes of winning the Premier League title alive with a convincing 4-1 victory over leaders Marsa-xlokk on Sunday.

A well-taken double by Aleksandar Madzar and a goal apiece for Stefan Giglio and Ivan Woods consigned Marsaxlokk to their first defeat in 22 matches as Sliema trimmed the gap with the leaders to six points with five matches to go.

Impressive for the best part of their long positive streak, Marsaxlokk played second fiddle to the organised Blues last weekend. Falling behind to a 13th-minute Giglio goal, Marsaxlokk's uphill struggle was rendered more difficult when striker Andrè Schembri was sent off for protests on the stroke of half-time.

Daniel Bogdanovic scored Marsaxlokk's goal midway through the second half at which stage Sliema were already 3-0 up.

Sliema's victory not only kept them in with a shout for the title, it also bolstered their grip on second place. The Wanderers have restored their five-point gap on the resurgent Birkirkara who had moved within two points of the Wanderers following a 2-1 victory over Hibernians on Saturday.

A first-half brace from Etienne Barbara, the first goal coming from a penalty, extended Birkirkara's winning run under coach John Buttigieg to three matches.

The stuttering Hibs, who had several first-team players missing, remain stuck at the bottom of the Championship Pool on 17 points. Substitute Terence Farrugia netted a consolation goal in stoppage time.

Valletta slipped to fourth place after their match with Msida St Joseph ended one-all. The Citizens have not won in their last three outings whereas Msida are still looking for their first victory in the Championship Pool.

Daniel Nwoke put Msida ahead five minutes into the second half but within a minute, Valletta had levelled the score through Richmar Siberie.

In the only Relegation Pool match played last weekend, Marsa failed to improve their dim prospects of avoiding the drop after a 2-2 draw with Floriana left them rooted to the bottom of the table with four points, eight points away from the safety zone.

Wendell Gomes gave Floriana the lead with a 47th-minute penalty but bottom-placed Marsa hit back with goals from Warren Chircop and Victor Bellia. Striker Adrian Mifsud earned Floriana a point with a glancing header 19 minutes from time.

Floriana had midfielder Christian Caruana sent off for retaliation on the stroke of time.

Next fixtures

U*BET FA Trophy

Quarter-finals
National Stadium - Saturday
Hibs vs Marsa 3 p.m.
Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 5 p.m.

National Stadium - Sunday
Msida SJ vs Pietà H. 3 p.m.
Valletta vs Marsaxlokk 5 p.m.