A Johann Spiteri second-half goal was enough for St George's to seal their place in Division Two next season after they beat Melita 1-0 in a decisive promotion play-off on Monday night at the Centenary Stadium.

St George's held the initiative throughout the first half and Melita goalkeeper Jonathan Sapiano had to be at his best to deny Nazzareno Abela and man-of-the-match Keith Darmanin on several occasions.

Melita, who needed to win at all costs to join the already-promoted Zejtun Corinthians, replied with efforts from Gregory Degabriele and Andrew Naudi, all blocked by Saints goalkeeper Gatt.

The team from Cottonera broke the stalemate on the hour mark when from a Darmanin corner, Spiteri was first on the ball to head past Sapiano. Here, one expected a fightback from Melita but this failed to materialise and the closest they came to an equaliser was through a Matthew Borg drive that finished wide.

St George's substitute Chris Richards should have wrapped up victory late in the game but with only Sapiano to beat he shot weakly into the safe hands of the Melita goalkeeper.

In another match on Monday, Kirkop beat Fgura 4-2 in a match which had little significance for the promotion tussle.

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