Ħamrun Spartans 3, Tarxien Rainbows 1

Ħamrun Spartans resisted a second-half fight back from Tarxien to secure a hard fought victory to end a run of back-to back defeats which had intensified the pressure on Jesmond Zammit's side ahead of this clash.

Yet the victory is a massive boost for the Spartans lifting them away from lower positions up to 8th position with 14 points. But Tarxien are now bottom of the table and deep in trouble having set a new club record of four straight defeats in the premier league. No other side this year has gone on such a run.

Both teams have greater potential than they have shown so far but it was clear to see why they have struggled. This was a game marred by little respect for possession, nervous, hesitant defending and wastefulness in the final third.

Ħamrun's opening had been subdued as the Rainbows dominated possession. Tarxien had a penalty shout turned down when Nikica Gacesa appeared to foul Caio after 16 minutes.

Yet the Spartans asserted themselves quickly and finally got what they deserved in the 24th minute after a patient passing move that culminated in Shields slotting an angled shot into the corner. Riberio picked up the ball near the half-line, driving into the area and dragged the ball for the Scotsman to tuck the ball in.

At this point, Curmi's side ditched their conservative tactics but the wastefulness shown in the opening exchanges was nothing in comparison to that practised by Tarxien striker Caio after 28 minutes. Costa left Matthew Gauci sleeping on the right and got down to the by-line before dinking the ball into the area but his compatriot shot over with the goal at his mercy.

But Ħamrun, free from their chains, were now also able to play their game and doubled the lead in the 36th minute Riberio who curled in his shot into the far corner.

The goal was created by Shields, who drifted inside and ran towards goal, before laying the ball off to his team-mate on the right, in an evident offside position.

The Brazilian took one look at the goal before beautifully bending his shot just inside the Ħamrun right-hand upright.

The Rainbows had a second appeal turned down in a frantic opening to the second half when Gacesca seemed to handle the ball as he tried to bring it down in the box following Costa's cross.

But the referee Paul Caruana insisted that no offence was committed.

This rejection would only prove more costly for Tarxien just few seconds later as Ħamrun swept down the other end and the towering figure of Riberio threw himself forward to head past David Cassar.

However, throughout the match, the Spartans had not suggested a clean-sheet was in the offing – and so it proved two minutes later when Costa's run was halted by the shoulder of Gacesa in the box and it was third time lucky for the Rainbows as the referee finally pointed at the penalty spot. The Brazilian picked himself up and fired the spot kick home.