A last-minute goal from Ħamrun Spartans provided drama on the last day of the Premier League, forcing title favourites Valletta FC into a decider with rivals Hibernians.

Valletta drew 1-1 with Ħamrun, while Hibernians demolished Balzan 5-1 to force a title decider next week as they both finished on 58 points. In the other match, Sliema's victory meant the Blues finish in fifth place with Gżira placing third in the 2018/2019 season.

Read: Ħamrun vs Valletta match report

Read: Hibs vs Balzan match report

Read: Sliema vs Pieta match report

This is how the afternoon unfolded:

6pm It's all over. Ħamrun hold Valletta to a draw and with Hibs defeating Balzan 5-1, this year's title will be decided in a decider.

Hibernians players and supporters celebrating. Video: Chris Sant Fournier

For the Spartans the point meant that they picked up the point that secures them fourth spot. Should Birkirkara fail to win the FA Trophy, Ħamrun will return to European football for the first time in 25 years.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

5.48pm GOAL!!! Ħamrun are level... Donneil Moukanz is the Spartans hero as the French striker latches onto a long pass from Triston Caruana and he turned past his marker and slots the ball past Bonello. This is dramatic.

With this result, Hibs would force a decider.

5.45pm RED CARD! Valletta finish the match with 10 men as Raed Saleh received two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent.

5.42pm Hibernians continue to add to their lead as Taylon seals his hat-trick to make it 5-1.

5.40pm Hibs add a fourth goal through Taylon but this win will prove futile unless Ħamrun find an equaliser.

5.30pm RED CARD!!! Any hope of a Balzan fightback is extinguished as Elkin Serrano Valero is sent off at the Hibs Stadium.

5.26pm Balzan pull a goal back against Hibernians through Uros Ljubomirac - 3-1.

5.25pm GOAL!!! Pieta Hotspurs pull a goal back through Paul Chimezie to give the Hotspurs hope for a point.

5.25pm GOAL!!! Hibs 3 Balzan 0. Taylon all but wraps up the win for the Paolites.

5.20pm GOAL!!! Sliema seem to have wrapped up the points with a second goal. Amehi darted past two opponents before notching the ball towards Varela who in front of the goal finished with composure.

5.15pm Double change for Ħamrun as Conor Borg and Matthew Gauci replace Sebastian Nayar and Andre Scicluna as coach Giovanni Tedesco is hopeful of reviving his team's fortunes.

Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaPhoto: Mark Zammit Cordina

5.05pm GOAL!!!! Hibernians double their lead through Tiago Fonseca against Balzan. They will now hope Ħamrun can at least level matters against Valletta.

The goal came from a poor back pass from Ricardo Correa and Fonseca kept his cool to beat Mintoff.

5pm Valletta and Ħamrun Spartans are back on the pitch for the start of the second half. It looks like there are no changes from either side.

4.47pm The half-time whistles sounds in all three stadia and at present it's Valletta who are closing in on the title courtesy of their one-goal lead over Ħamrun Spartans. Hibs' 1-0 lead over Balzan is proving futile.

Sliema, who lead Pieta 1-0, have leapfrogged Balzan and are level with the Spartans in fourth place.

See you in 15 minutes for the second half action with more twist and turns expected.

4.45pm The Spartans finally threaten a minute from the break as Tulimieri’s overhead kick find Wilfried Domoraud at the far post and the French striker’s volley bounces just over the bar.

4.40pm Sliema close to a second goal ten minutes from the break as John Mintoff hit the crossbar from a tight angle.

4.31pm That's a huge goal as Valletta restore their two-point lead over Hibernians while Sliema have now joined Ħamrun Spartans in fourth place.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
 

4.31 GOAL!!! Valletta score... Mario Fontanella. The Italian strike pounced on a poor back pass from Andre Scicluna and beat Bartolo with a firm strike.

4.30pm GOAL!!! Finally a breakthrough at the Centenary Stadium as Sliema take lead through Kllian Amehi as they lead Pieta 1-0.

4.24pm Sliema continue to miss chances... Muchardi wasted another clear-cut chance when after Mintoff sent an inviting cross into the area, he mishit the ball which rolled past Pieta's goal

Hibs players celebrate their goal against Balzan.Hibs players celebrate their goal against Balzan.

4.22pm Hibs join Valletta at the top in this scenario with a title decider in the offing.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore

4.21pm GOAL! Big goal at the Hibs Stadium as Hibernians take the lead. Marko Sahanek played a fine throughball towards Jake Grech who beat Sean Mintoff with an angled strike.

4.20pm Valletta close in quick succession. On 14 minutes, Santiago Malano sped towards the Ħamrun goal before serving Mario Fontanella and his low drive was pushed away by Bartolo.

From the resultant corner taken by Alba, Fontanella was again thwarted by Bartolo.

4.15pm Sliema continue to push as Ignacio Varela connected with a John Mintoff cross but he failed to hit the target.

Hibs missed a good chance after 12 minutes when Taylon chested the ball down before hitting a rising shot that finished off the near post of Sean Mintoff

4.12pm Hibernians are bossing proceedings against Balzan but so far no clear-cut chances recorded.

4.10pm  At the Centenary Stadium, Sliema Wanderers also close to take an ealry lead. Kllian Ameh hits a shot that flew just inches wide.

Moments later, Matias Muchardi squandered a great opportunity for the Blues as from point-blank range he sailed the ball over the bar after receiving from Amehi.

4.05pm Valletta are quick out of the blocks as after two minutes of play Miguel Alba finds Mario Fontanella and his header is well blocked by Emanuel Bartolo in the Ħamrun goal.

3.58pm The players are on the pitch now action is starting very soon with the title crown and fourth spot on the line. Hopefully it will be a great day for Maltese football in general.

3.55pm Above are the line-ups for Sliema Wanderers and Pieta Hotspurs at the Centenary Stadium. Sliema are without suspended duo Younes Marzouk and Frank Temile.

The Hibs End at the Corradino Stadium.The Hibs End at the Corradino Stadium.

3.50pm Hibernians face came in big numbers at the Corradino Stadium this afternoon.

3.45pm The line-up for Hibs and Sliema Wanderers is out with Hibernians fielding the same team that beat Senglea Athletic on Monday.

Valletta fans at the National Stadium prior to kick off.Valletta fans at the National Stadium prior to kick off.

3.40pm Fans have taken to social media to post their presence at the National Stadium.

3.25pm The teams are out warming up on the pitch warming up.

Valletta coach Gilbert Agius named almost the same 11 players that beat Tarxien Rainbows last week with the only exception being Steve Borg coming back into the fray at the expense of Jean Borg.

Ħamrun Spartans on their part have brought in Argentine midfielder Sebastian Nayar and winger Donneil Moukanza for Marco Criaco and Conor Borg.

3.20pm Valletta FC also received a message of support from their former striker Sebastian Monesterolo.

The Argentine goal-machine was in the Valletta team that won the league championship in 2007-08 and also won the golden boot for top scorer in the Maltese Championship.

3.10pm This morning Valletta coach Gilbert Agius posted an emotional message to the club's fans.

The former Valletta captain, winner of several titles with the Citizens, thanked the club fans for their unrelentless towards the team and said that their backing will be crucial for the team in their quest to win their 25th league title.

Standings provided by Sofascore LiveScore
 

3.05pm As you can see there is a very tight situation at the top with Valletta holding a two-point advantage over Hibernians.

The Citizens will win the title if they can secure a better or match the result of the Paolites. That would hand the Citizens as 25th league title that would draw them level with their fierce rivals Floriana and just one short of Sliema Wanderers who boast the highest number of championships with 26.

On the other hand, Ħamrun Spartans have a two-point advantage over Balzan and are three ahead of Sliema.

The Spartans will hope to gain a better result than Balzan to ensure they remain in the running for a return to European football after an absence of 25 years.

Sliema must hope that both Ħamrun and Balzan lose to force a decider for fourth place.

3pm Welcome to our live blog of the final three league matches of the season. Emotions will be running high among the fans at the National Stadium, Hibs Stadium and the Centenary Stadium as the championship crown and the European places will be decided this afternoon.

A huge crowd is expected at the National Stadium as tickets were selling fast among fans of both Valletta FC and Ħamrun Spartans this week.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.