Victoria Hotspurs came from behind to edge past cross-city rivals SK Victoria Wanderers 2-1 to move on the brink of reconfirming themselves as Gozitan champions.
The Hotspurs now need just one point from their last two matches to secure their second successive title and their 13th in their club history.
Victoria Hotspurs’ first opportunity to secure the title is on Sunday when they face Xewkija Tigers.
It was the Wanderers who held territorial dominance for much of the match but their profligacy in front of goal cost them dear. But they still had some work to do in defence with goalkeeper Matthew Towns distinguishing themselves with a string of excellent saves.
The Wanderers took the lead on 21 minutes when the Hotspurs defence failed to clear the ball away and Joseph Buhagiar fed Audgustine Obaje who fired the ball home.
The Hotspurs took just five minutes to draw level, Shaun Bajada drilling the ball into the net with a thumping volley following an Elton Da Silva cross.
The Gozitan champions netted the winner two minutes into the second half. Christian Mercieca fed Emiliano Lattes who shot home with a firm drive.
Midway through the second half, Eman Bugeja almost restored parity but his inswinger came off the bar.
In stoppage time, the Hotspurs could have added a third goal when they were awarded a penalty when Moussa Bamba floored Elton Da Silva inside the area but the Brazilian saw his shot coming off the bar.
At the end of the match, Wanderers player Sam Harland was shown a red card for dissent.
Nadur Youngsters kept alive their flickering title hopes when they beat Xewkija Tigers 3-1.
The Youngsters took just six minutes to take the lead through Marcelo Barbos.
Nadur kept up the pressure but the Tigers defence held on to remain in the match.
The Youngsters doubled their lead on 75 minutes when Shaun Attard drilled the ball home with a low shot.
Barbosa sealed Nadur’s win when he tapped the ball home following an Attard cross.
Xewkija pulled a goal back four minutes from time through a Halleson Tiago Barbosa header.
Għajnsielem picked up three important points when they overcame Għarb Rangers 3-0 to strengthen their grip on fourth place in the standings.
Għarb seemed to be up for the fight as they looked to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop.
However, Għajnsielem had other ideas and took the lead on 21 minutes through a header by Luis Andre De Melo Lima.
Għarb should have drawn level six minutes from time but Hugo Santa Rosa Cruz’s inswinger came off the bar.
A minute later, Għajnsielem wrapped up the points when Naby Bamba’s low drive rolled into the net before De Melo Lima added a third in stoppage time.
Kerċem Ajax picked up three crucial points after crushing Munxar Falcons 5-1 to assure themselves of avoiding bottom spot in the standings.
The Ajax surged into a two-goal lead inside the first ten minutes through an Andre Debrincat brace before Thomas Vella added a third on the half hour from the penalty spot.
Munxar pulled a goal back 30 seconds into the second half with a Vladmir Tosic strike.
The Ajax resorted their two-goal lead on 52 minutes with a low shot from Thomas Vella.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Kerċem were awarded a penalty when Andrea Debrincat was fouled by Samwel Muscat and Debrincat hit home after his first effort was pushed away by Damien Spiteri.
Division Two
Xagħra United obtained a hard-earned 1-0 win over bottom placed Qala Saints to stay in the hunt for promotion.
The win lifted Xagħra three points clear of Sannat Lions, who, however, have a game in hand.
Xagħra dictated play for much of the match but struggled to convert their chances into goals.
Johnny Camilleri netted the all-important goal from the penalty spot on 66 minutes.
In another Division Two match, Oratory Youths and Żebbuġ Rovers shared four goals in a 2-2 draw.
Oratory took the lead after four minutes through Sintayehu Curmi before Joseph Xerri made it 2-0 on 65 minutes.
But Żebbuġ refused to throw in the towel and saved a point through a brace by Aaron Buttigieg on 72 and 74 minutes.