Qormi 1
Grima 83
Valletta 2
Bezzina 23; Mifsud 43
Valletta's title prospects may have receded after Birkirkara's headline-grabbing 5-4 win over Hibs last weekend but the Citizens refused to allow that setback distort their focus on their must-win match against Qormi.
Four points off the top with only two matches left, Valletta were acutely aware that a slip-up yesterday would have handed the title to Birkirkara but Ton Caanen's ensemble delivered a businesslike performance to overpower Qormi and keep their flickering hopes alive.
Yet, as the scoreline clearly indicates, this was anything but a plainsailing victory for Valletta who had to endure a tense finale after the resilient Qormi pulled one back seven minutes from the end.
Urged on by their fans, as well as scores of Birkirkara supporters, Qormi had a go at Valletta in the second half but the Whites kept their composure to grind out a win that turns a semblance of pressure on Birkirkara who will nevertheless seal the title if they beat the Rainbows today.
Caanen tinkered with his formation as the likes of Edmond Agius, Dyson Falzon and Kevin Sammut were offered starting roles.
Luke Dimech was the only notable absentee from Valletta's squad. The former Malta defender is likely to have played his last game in a Valletta shirt after the club suspended him until the end of the season after his self-inflicted red card in last week's 2-0 defeat of Sliema Wanderers.
Jamie Pace, Terrence Scerri and Jordi Cruyff, back after a muscle strain kept him out of the Sliema win, were named among the substitutes. The exclusion of Scerri from the first team meant that Michael Mifsud retained his role as Valletta's attacking fulcrum as Caanen reverted to 4-3-3.
In the absence of Brazilian striker Camilo, suspended, Vince Carbonaro opted for a 4-5-1 gameplan in his first game in charge since his elevation to head coach after Qormi parted company with Jesmond Zerafa on Wednesday. Midfielder Stefan Giglio was also ruled out by suspension.
Creative football was at a premium in the initial stages, the lack of entertainment doing little to lift the subdued atmosphere in the stands.
The Citizens survived a scare when, after 20 minutes, Steve Borg's hasty clearance ricocheted off Effiong who diverted the trajectory of the ball but luckily for the Whites, it flew just wide of the far post.
In their next attack, Valletta put their noses in front. Falzon's cross from a right-wing corner drifted towards the edge of the box where Priso directed the ball into the goalmouth and left-back Steve Bezzina lunged forward to head past Matthew Farrugia.
Valletta stayed in command as Qormi struggled to make their presence felt up front. Eight minutes from half-time, Falzon raced into the box but his low cross just eluded Borg. Qormi's half-clearance fell to Gilbert Agius whose strike was repelled by Steve Wellman.
At the other end, Joseph Farrugia was solely responsible for creating Qormi's first noteworthy chance as the midfielder elegantly picked his way into the area but his tame shot posed no trouble to Andrew Hogg.
From the prospect of levelling matters, Qormi found themselves 2-0 down two minutes from half-time. Having retrieved possession in midfield, Gilbert Agius hit an excellent pass towards Mifsud who sped clear of the Qormi defenders and rifled past Farrugia.
Less than a minute into the second half, Qormi protested for a penalty when Borg made a sliding tackle on Effiong but the Valletta defender looked to have struck the ball and referee Chris Lautier allowed play to continue.
Qormi came close again on 55 minutes when Farrugia's cross from a free-kick was partially cleared by the Valletta defence but Effiong's follow-up header was too central to unsettle Hogg.
Shouts of 'penalty' echoed around the stadium when Effiong's drive came off Briffa's arm but the referee saw nothing wrong.
Valletta's troubles to find their usual fluency filled Qormi with renewed optimism as Carbonaro's men increased the frequency of their incursions into opposing territory.
Hogg denied Qormi a goal when saving Matthew Bartolo's strong but central effort after Borg was beaten to the ball by the towering Effiong.
With 16 minutes remaining, Caanen withdrew Falzon in favour of Declan O'Brien. The Irish striker almost left an instant mark on the match when he got a touch to Gilbert Agius's wayward shot but his brave effort was high.
Qormi's improvement in the second half was rewarded with a goal seven minutes from time. Massimo Grima punished his parent club when curling a free-kick beyond Valletta's wall and into the net after the ball had caressed the inside of a post.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, J. Bondin-6.5, Ramon-6.5, S. Wellman-6, D. Pisani-5 ('84 R. Sammut), M. Grima-7, K. Fenech-6, R. Deguara-5 ('84 K. Spiteri), M. Bartolo-6, J. Farrugia-5 ('61 S. Meilak-5), A. Effiong-7.
Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5, S. Bezzina-6, S. Borg-6.5, K. Scicluna-6.5, R. Briffa, G. Agius, E. Agius, D. Falzon-6 ('74 D. O'Brien), D. Priso-6 ('84 C. Frendo), K. Sammut-6 ('79 D. Grima), M. Mifsud-7.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Yellow cards: Deguara; Effiong; Grima; Briffa.
BOV player of the match: Michael Mifsud (Valletta).