Nadur Youngsters started their second round commitments on a heartening note as they turned defeat into victory in their match against Victoria Hotspurs.
This was the champions' first win in the league this season and the fourth consecutive positive result following three draws in their previous three outings.
Victory lifted Nadur off bottom place but they still face an uphill struggle to revive their hopes of retaining the title for a second year.
Victoria had two players sent off as they succumbed to their second consecutive defeat. This upset has seriously jolted their title aspirations which looked bright after an auspicious start to the season.
With Andi Koci and Fabiano Bassi very much in evidence, the Hotspurs could have snatched an early lead.
An effort by Manwel Cordina was cleared from the Nadur goalmouth by Peter Paul Buttigieg with the keeper beaten.
As the minutes ticked away, however, the Youngsters regrouped and started to dictate matters.
A minute from half-time, Victoria suffered a blow when Noel Borg was red-carded for a second booking.
But the numerical handicap did not deter Victoria from venturing forward and they went on to open the scoring on 54 minutes from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Saviour Attard on Bassi. The latter made no mistake from the spot.
Nadur hit back strongly and turned the tide in their favour with two goals from Joseph C. Portelli.
Portelli was denied a hat-trick late on when his shot was cleared from over the line by Alex Tramboo.
The Hotspurs ended with nine players in stoppage time when Jason Portelli was sent off for a foul on Akran Gseaa.
Nadur Youngsters 2
J.C. Portelli 69, 88
Victoria Hotspurs 1
Bassi 54 pen.
Nadur: Sultana, P.P. Buttigieg, J. Meilaq, S. Attard (J. Said), A. Simoncic, A. Gseaa, J. Buttigieg, B. Timotic, J.S. Portelli, A. Portelli, J.C. Portelli.
Victoria Hotspurs: G. Vella, J.P. Grima (A. Zammit), D. Farrugia, M. Vella, A. Tramboo, N. Borg, J. Portelli, R. Grech (J. Mizzi), F. Bassi, M. Cordina (R. Mercieca), A. Koci.
Referee: Anton Zammit.
Red cards: Borg (V) 44; Portelli (V) 90.