Emiliano Lattes scored twice to help champions Birkirkara end a run of four matches without a victory.

The Argentine has finally emerged from the shadow of Sylvano Comvalius, the man he was called to substitute, to prove himself a star in his own right.

Lattes proved his worth with a match-winning display against Qormi to restore Birkirkara in the title hunt. Birkirkara’s start should have boosted their confidence. Looking determined to arrest their poor run, the Stripes flew out of the blocks and tried to surprise Qormi with the first attack of the game.

Shawn Bajada fed Michael Galea out wide and the striker the ball wide. But a casual Birkirkara and frugal Qormi made for a cagey first 28 minutes with matching mazy runs at either end from Matthew Bartolo after 3 minutes and Emiliano Lattes on the 19th minute the only goalbound efforts, both of which were comfortably saved. On the 27th minute, Matthew Farrugia finger-tipped away a Rowen Muscat lob after a brilliant link with Bajada.

From the ensuing corner, the Stripes had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they won a dubious penalty after Jonathan Bondin was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box after 28 minutes.

Qormi were furious and felt justice was done when Farrugia saved Galea’s effort from the spot kick.

However, in that time, Lattes had already demonstrated his industrious influence and he further underlined his importance to Birkirkara cause by giving them the lead after 42 minutes. Birkirkara kept up their momentum as they threaten to overrun Qormi, carving out chances at will.

Qormi finally broke out of their own half and Joseph Farrugia saw his shot deflected for a corner after 76 minutes. It was the best chance for Qormi and it should have served to give them some fresh impetus in their bid to mount a late charge in search of the equaliser.

Yet Birkirkara responded and might have wrapped it up when Bajada’s low drive slipped just wide of the near post. Almost immediately, Qormi’s last remaining hopes of getting anything out of the game were extinguished when Lattes was allowed space to cut inside on his favourite right foot and blasted a swerving low shot across Farrugia and into the bottom corner.