HAMRUN 1 MQABBA 4
Mqabba dropped out of the premier league despite claiming a 4-1 victory over Ħamrun Spartans
It is a brutal reality as this victory was not enough to save them from relegation as their fate was sealed by Mosta identical victory over Qormi.
They were given a genuine early scare in a fast-paced start to the game when Anderson Ribeiro Mendes brilliantly split their defence from deep for Gaetan Spiteri but Branislav Timotic made a crucial interception to the nippy striker the simple tap-in after nine minutes.
That early impetus however was halted when Matthew Gauci barged John Paul Muscat to the ground. And Bojan Mamic extracted a clinical retribution with a delightful right-foot that bent viciously away from Andrea Casssar's despairing dive after 17 minutes.
At this point, news had reached the Mqabba supporters that Mosta had taken the lead against Qormi. This result dragged Clive Mizzi's side in the first division and the Spartans took the initiative, forcing two consecutive corners but the Mqabba's compact defensive set-up was up to the task to keep the Spartans at bay.
However, Mqabba raised themselves on the half hour mark as Mamic pounced on the hesitancy of Ronnie Hartvig and forced his way through the defence, chipping Cassar from few metres out.
Just before half-time, however Ħamrun were given a lifeline by the concession of a needless penalty just before half time when Timotic hauled down Steve Bonnici. Keeper Azzopardi touched David Camileri's penalty but it carried too much power.
The Mqabba must have heard about the Mosta result in the dressing-room as their second-half performance was meek in the opening exchanges.
In the 58th minute, Azzopardi pulled off a flying save to block Camilleri's cross-cum-shot. Few minutes later, Ribeiro went close when his fierce free-kick which went under the wall finished just off the far post.
After 75 minutes, Claudio Calleja picked up the ball near the halfway line and launched a spectacular long range pass for Thiago Mazzitelli who escaped from his marker but he was let down by his effort.
At the other end, Mqabba survived a scare when Kevin Sammut's ferocious shot rattled the crossbar.
However, any hopes the Spartans had of saving the game were extinguished ten minutes from time when the reliable Mazzitelli served up the perfect cross for David Fenech to sweep a finish past Ħamrun goalkeeper.
Just at death, Marko Potezika scored a spectacular back-heel goal to give his supporters something to shout about.