Vittoriosa Stars 1
San Ġwann 2

This was an important victory for San Ġwann in their quest to ease their relegation worries. Joe Brincat's side are now four points ahead of second-bottom Rabat.

Vittoriosa sorely felt the absence of the suspended Anthony Eviparker and lost the chance to leapfrog three other contenders in the race for promotion.

San Ġwann opened the score first after weathering the early Vittoriosa pressure.

On 18 minutes, Sergio Hili got a touch to the ball from a free-kick to surprise Alex Camilleri in the Vittoriosa goal.

George Faure's Stars tried to make a quick reaction and on 24 minutes a Keith Darmanin free-kick finished just wide and then keeper Justin Spiteri did well to stop another Darmanin effort from a free-kick.

Three minutes before half-time, San Ġwann almost scored again following a quick break but Hili was dispossessed by Howard Hughes after being put through by Antoine Zahra.

Vittoriosa did all the running after the restart but found Spiteri in fine form to keep the Saints in front.

At the other end, Zahra rolled the ball past Camilleri and into Hili's path but the latter was denied by the post.

San Ġwann were left to rue that missed chance as Vittoriosa equalised on 59 minutes when Robert Adami headed home from a Larry Lagana corner.

But the Stars suffered a setback two minutes later when Pierre Aquilina was sent off for a second bookable offence.

San Ġwann held control now and ten minutes from time Steve Pisani slotted home the winner after Camilleri had parried a Lee Cumbo scorcher from outside the box.

Vittoriosa Stars
A. Camilleri, C. Cachia, J. Camilleri, K. Abela, K. Darmanin (N. Chukunyere), R. Adami, S. Calleja (D. Gauci), L. Scerri, L. Lagana, P. Aquilina, H. Hughes.

San Ġwann
J. Spiteri, J. Buttigieg, A. Zahra (R. Zammit); C. Giordmaina, L. Cumbo, M. Caruana, S. Pisani, N. Goodlip (R. Sell), F. Aboulezz, S. Hili, A. Borg.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Antoine Zahra (San Ġwann).