BIRKIRKARA-1, BALZAN-0
Champions Birkirkara opened a five-point gap at the top after edging past Balza in a combative game that came to life in the second half.
Paul Fenech scored the winner for Birkirkara who were facing an uphill struggle after Joseph Zerafa was sent off early in the second half.
The Stripes held on to their slim lead to turn up the pressure on second-placed Valletta who meet Sliema Wanderers tomorrow.
The first half was an unforgettable affair with scoring chances few and far between.
After six minutes, Balzan goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo rushed out of his goal to cut out Jhonnattann's run.
Balzan's first and only chance of the first half came on 15 minutes when Jose Luis Armario Negrin advanced on the right before picking out Pedrinho who hit wide from a good position.
Despite dominating possession, Birkirkara were finding it difficult to create clear scoring chances. They threatened on 33 minutes when Frank Temile ran into the box before passing to Jhonnattann whose close-range shot was pushed away by Bartolo.
From the resultant corner, taken by Temile, Nikola Vukanac headed just wide.
Seven minutes into the second half, Birkirkara defender Matheus Bissi hit a powerful drive that sailed wide of the far post.
Birkirkara suffered an unexpected blow on the hour when left-back Joseph Zerafa was sent off for a late tackle on the advancing Pedrinho.
Despite their numerical handicap, Birkirkara remained the better side. Haruna went close but his strike was deflected past the far post. Midway into the second half, Birkirkara's optimism rose. They were awarded a free-kick inside the Balzan box after Balzan goalkeeper Bartolo was adjudged to have collected a backpass.
The Balzan players crowded their goal but their wall of resistance was breached as Paul Fenech rifled the ball into the net after being teed up by Jhonnattann.
The Birkirkaras fans were ecstatic. Their optimism increased three minutes later as Balzan's Vignaroli was sent off after earning a second yellow card following a clash with Nikola Vukanac, all this after Ryan Camenzuli had been fouled by Justin Grioli.
After calm was restored, Balzan tried to make a reaction, Andrew Scicluna heading wide from Pedrinho's cross.
Three minutes from time, Birkirkara shouted 'penalty' when Jhonnattann appeared to have been pushed by Zarate but their protests were dismissed by Arciola.