Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Carabott, D. Theuma, J. Mifsud, D. Cachia (L. Micallef), R. Bajada, C. Sciberras (M. Valenzia), P. Fenech, D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde, S. Tagliaferro (M. Pullicino)

Pieta H: A. Hogg, I. Deanov ( (R. Camilleri), M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, C. Sammut, A. Spiteri, D. Camenzuli, D. Gera, H. Schembri, A. Decesare (C. Calleja), R. Grech (M. Marmara

Referee: A. Casha Asst.refs: N. Debattista, J. Rapa 4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: A. Decesare, I. Babatunde (2), D. Camenzuli, D.Theuma

Yellow cards: P. Fenech, R. Grech, I. Deanov, D. Camenzuli, A. Spiteri, D. Theuma, R. Bajada, D. Carabott

Red cards: A. Spiteri, D. Camenzuli

Player of the match: I. Babatunde (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. D. Carabott 2. I. Babatunde 3. M. Deanov

Msida exploited their numerical superiority after Pieta were down to ten men following Spiteri's dismissal shortly before the break but lingered for more than an hour before making good their growing advantage.

This win lifts them to fourth place in the standings, three points behind Birkirkara.

Although superior to their opponents for long stretches, Msida were shocked by Pieta's early opener and after drawing level in no time and even forging ahead midway through the half, they were caught by Pieta's equaliser before half-time.

With Tagliaferro starting the match for the injured Tyrone Farrugia, Msida took the second half by storm and eventually the match had only one outcome.

Pieta were forced to defend for long stretches and their robust approach to the game against more technical opponents earned them four bookings and two sending offs, the second in the late stages when the match had been already won and lost.

Both teams made a brisk start to an entertaining first half with plenty of flowing football. Pieta's first charge after four minutes resulted in a goal. From a Martin Deanov corner kick, Andrew Decesare's firm header beat keeper Borg at the top left-hand corner.

Hardly a minute later Msida drew level with a goal of similar execution. Carabott's corner from the right was headed in by Ibrahim Babatunde.

Msida started to dominate the proceedings after a quarter hour as the combined heights of Nwoke and Babatunde were causing the Pieta defenders some uncomfortable moments.

Theuma's free-kick was partially saved by keeper Hogg but the Pieta defence could clear the danger.

Then Tagliaferro's through ball caught the Hotspurs' rearguard off the mark. Nwoke advanced clear but Hogg stretched himself to save his placed shot.

It was not surprising that the Saints forged ahead on 24 minutes. The Pieta keeper did not reach the ball, rushing out to cut Carabott's floating cross from the right, and Ibrahim Babatunde towered himself to head into an empty goal despite Spiteri's challenge.

But when Msida seemed to have taken a firm grip on the game, they conceded Pieta's equaliser from another dead ball situation. On Martin Deanov's free-kick from outside the area, David Camenzuli's looping header beat Borg who was late in his judgment on the ball's flight.

That goal sapped all Msida's brittle confidence but on the stroke of half time, Pieta were reduced to ten men after Spiteri was shown the red card for tripping Babatunde when going towards goal on an Msida fast break.

Pieta were forced to retreat and defend after the restart, handing most of the initiative to their opponents. Tagliaferro's shot was saved into a corner by the goalkeeper and when Nwoke ran in for Sciberras' pass, he was blocked by Gera on the point of shooting.

Past the hour, Babatunde's rasping diagonal shot was deflected into a corner as Pieta held grimly.

Only till 73 minutes though. Substitute Valenzia served Carabott wide on the flank to whip his cross and Daniel Nwoke put his boot before Gera to blast the ball in from close range.

Msida's confidence blossomed as they realised that Pieta were there for the taking. Bajada's shot after a resourceful run through the middle went wide.

With ten minutes remaining, Valenzia's cross on Carabott's short corner, was headed in by Daniel Theuma to give Msida the spoils.

Towards the end there was some target practice as Msida rained shots down on goalkeeper Hogg and in the dying minutes, Pieta's defender Camenzuli also received his marching orders after a second bookable offence to complete the Hotspurs' miserable afternoon.