TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0; BIRKIRKARA 1

Miguel Alba's free-kick on half-time stroke was enough to help Birkirkara collect three valuable points in their bid to gain some ground on their rivals Floriana for a European football berth.

Tarxien went close in their first foray into Birkirkara's half. Daniel Ponce's cross from the right was partially cleared, the ball fell invitingly to Nilsson whose strike was stopped by Henry Bonello, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

After seven minutes, Triston Caruana made good progress in midfield as Nilsson was again on hand to receive the ball but his rising shot was just off target.

The Birkirkara goalkeeper was prominent again after 41 minutes when parring away Nilsson's angled effort with the aid of the crossbar as the goalkeeper emerged the winner in what developed into a personal duel with the Swede.

On the stroke of half-time, Tarxien defender Ebiabowei Baker sent Gonzalo Malan crashing to the grounds in what could be considered as Birkirkara’s first serious venture towards the Tarxien penalty area. Miguel Alba’s ensuing free-kick took a deflection off Marcelina’s foot which sent the ball sailing behind Philip Schranz, the Tarxien goalkeeper.

The concession of a goal just before half-time had a knock-on on Tarxien’s confidence and for a brief period at the start of the second half, Birkirkara threatened to inflict more misery on their opponents.

After 70 minutes, Edmond Aguis blasted a powerful shot that had Schranz stretched to his limits as the Tarxien’s guardian dived to his left to repel the ball.

With Birkirkara comfortably holding their opponents at arm’s length and with Tarxien going for tentative rather than intelligent probing the game petered out to a tamer ending than it had started.

But not before substitute James Brincat squandered an open chance on an intelligent service from Vito Plut.