ST ANDREWS 2; TARXIEN RAINBOWS 3

Tarxien Rainbows were forced to endure a nervy finale before hanging on to a much-needed victory over St Andrews.

Thanks to their latest success, the Rainbows have now consolidated the sixth place, opening 10-point lead on Mosta albeit the latter have a game in hand.

Under the guidance of Jacques Scerri, the Rainbows are a disciplined lot and their 13 win of the season can be viewed as an indication that this club are on the road to recovery after enduring a couple of miserable seasons, flirting with relegation.

Tarxien broke the stalemate on 13 minutes. Luke Montebello displayed all his power and physicality to overcome his marker Michael Johnson before beating Jake Galea with a swerving shot.

Shy the half hour mark, the quick-thinking Triston Caruana scored with a remarkable free-kick from the half-way line to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Seven minutes from half-time, St Andrews were back in contention. Joseph Farrugia served a corner from the left and Johnson smacked a low shot past Andrea Cassar.

Tarxien went into the interval in high spirits as they restored their two-goal cushion on cusp of half-time. They broke on the counter, Joao Pedro serving Montebello who chipped the ball past Galea for his 11 goal of the season.

After a drab start to the second half, Claudio Frances breezed past a jittery defensive line but his low drive finished wide.

At death, substitute Matthew Tabone wrestled Oseghale in the box. Referee Esther Azzopardi ordered a penalty and Joseph Farrugia duly converted from the penalty spot to set up a tense final.

But in the end it was too little too late for the Saints as the Rainbows held on to a precious win.