Marsaxlokk 1
St George's 2
St George's scored two second-half goals to hand leaders Marsaxlokk their first defeat of the season and put themselves in the hunt for a promotion place.
Joey Falzon's side are surely the in-form side of the moment as after demolishing St Patrick 6-1 last week they again played excellent football against a team many tipped ascertainties for promotion.
But Patrick Curmi's side have worn off in the last few weeks after drawing 4-4 with San Ġwann a fortnight ago, and scoring a last-gasp equaliser to take a point against Mqabba last week.
This time there was no coming back for Marsaxlokk as St George's defence didn't put a foot wrong despite Marsaxlokk's late rally.
Marsaxlokk forged ahead in their first real threat after 10 minutes. It was the unmarked Martin Deanov who slotted the ball home from a William Camenzuli cross.
St George's came close to an equaliser on 20 minutes when Josef Dalli shot straight at the goalkeeper from routine distance.
Marsaxlokk responded on 26 minutes when Florent Raimy had a good drive from just outside the area saved by Thomas Galea.
The game changed face in the second half and on 46 minutes Anthony Ewurun was brought down in the area by Rumen Galabov, and the Nigerian converted the resultant penalty to make it 1-1.
The Saints grew in stature and on 48 minutes Ewurun blasted the ball over following a good pass by the hard-working Silvio Sciberras.
Marsaxlokk responded two minutes later when Roderick Bajada had a long-range effort finishing high and wide.
But on 55 minutes it was St George's who struck. Chris Ciappara, was picked by Ewurum, turned past the hesitant Yantchev to fire the ball past Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.
On 57 minutes Marsaxlokk were close to making it 2-2 when Licari headed just wide following a Deanov cross.
Marsaxlokk came close again on 75 minutes when substitute Leighton Grech brought the best out of Thomas Galea.
Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit; M. Deanov, P. Pullicino, M. Licari, W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat, R. Galabov, R. Bajada (T. Templeman), D. Kokavessis (L. Grech), E. Yantchev, F. Raimy.
St George's: T. Galea, E. Sevasta (G. Bonello), C. Grech, A. Ewurun, E. Amaira, B. Fenech, J. Dalli, G. Mallia, A. Bonello, S. Sciberras (C. Caruana), C. Ciappara (J. Bugeja).
Referee: Andre Arciola.
Man of the match: Silvio Sciberras (St George's).
Balzan Youths 3
Mqabba 2
A Renie Forace strike two minutes from time kept Balzan Youths in the promotion hunt after beating Mqabba by the odd goal in five.
This victory lifts Balzan to third place in the standings along with St George's as the promotion race is now wide open between four teams.
This was a game where Balzan had most of the possession but Mqabba were more dangerous with their counter-attacks. After a boring first half the match burst into life in the second part with Balzan having the edge thanks mainly to the inclusion of veteran Ivan Zammit who played an important role in their victory.
On 15 minutes a Peter Anizoba cross found Clayton Caruana completely unmarked but his header finished inches wide. Mqabba had their best chance of the first half on 25 minutes when Caushi's splitting pass reached John Paul Muscat whose first-time shot was saved spectacularly by Tabone.
On the half hour a Forace dipper went slightly over the bar.
On resumption Mqabba took the lead. Caushi scored his first goal since joining the club when he brilliantly drove home direct from a free-kick.
Mqabba had a good opportunity of putting the issue beyond doubt when a drive by Mauro Bonnici ended on the roof of the net. On the hour Peter Anizoba darted inside the Mqabba area and was tripped by the onrushing goalkeeper. From the resultant penalty substitute Ivan Zammit, who had just come in, scored from the spot.
This goal gave Balzan more guile and power as they pushed everything forward in search of a second goal.
But on 69 minutes Mqabba were back infront. Caushi found Muscat who rounded two defenders before beating Tabone from an acute angle.
Balzan tried to hit back and Mqabba goalkeeper Calleja had to stretch to save a fierce drive from Simon Shead. Ten minutes from time Anizoba's shot on the turn from the edge of the area finished in the top corner of the net for a great equaliser.
The game was now on as both teams showed their true worth.
Five minutes from time Balzan scored what proved to be the winner when from a Zammit free-kick, Forace headed home from close range.
Balzan: F. Tabone, S. Aquilina, D. Agius (L. Micallef), J. Francica, R. Forace, M. Onourah (A. Agius), B. Bondin, M. Sciortino, C. Caruana (I. Zammit), P. Anizoba, S. Shead.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, S. Magro, M. Gauci (O. Grech), C. Calleja (G. Barry), J.P. Muscat, C. Farrugia, E. Navarro, J. Debattista, W. Caushi.
Referee: Sammy Attard.
Man of the match: Peter Anizoba (Balzan Youths).