Two late goals scored by Da Silva and substitute Carlos Camenzuli gave Tarxien an important victory over promotion aspirants Mqabba, as the Rainbows now go third, three clear points over the same Mqabba.

The result is rather harsh on Mqabba as a draw would have been a fairer result. In fact Tarxien scored both goals in Mqabba's best patch, as the reds were pushing forward to obtain the three points at stake.

Da Silva played a blinder for the Rainbows, and his duel with Mqabba's Albert Busuttil was the highlight of the first 45 minutes.

As usual, John Paul Muscat was very active for Mqabba, who had Mark Anastasi making his debut. Tellus, together with Mark Anthony Psaila, were very solid at the back and the only chance Tarxien had, came through defender Manuel Caruana, whose shot slightly missed the target.

Anywanna's only danger came on 32 minutes when he shot inches wide following a good Muscat freekick.

The second half was again dominated by the defences with Mqabba more dangerous. On 58 minutes Anywanna beat Tonna on the turn but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Curmi.

Mqabba's best chance came on 66 minutes when Anywanna passed to the unmarked and substitute Marlon Briffa whose lob beat Curmi but was blocked on the line by Michael Micallef.

Tarxien hit back with a long range shot by Tabone, which went slightly over the bar. Anywanna created havoc in the Tarxien defence but his final shot was beautifully saved by Curmi.

Against the run of play Tarxien took the lead on 79 minutes when from a Tabone freekick, Shead anticipated Calleja and Da Silva hammered home from two metres.

Mqabba surged forward but on 92 minutes Carlos Camenzuli scored the second goal when in a fast break he dribbled past Calleja before scoring in an empty net.

League leaders St George's can only blame themselves for suffering the second consecutive defeat of the season. Without Delia and Darmanin, the Saints missed a penalty and an incredible chance in the dying seconds to lose against a determined and organised Lija side. The Saints finished the match with nine players against Lija's ten as three players were sent off.

The first scoring chance came Lija's way when a Paul Camilleri freekick found John Camilleri completely unmarked, but his header was brilliantly blocked by Gatt.

Ten minutes later it was the Saints' turn to miss a sitter when Bonello's header from close range was saved by Mercieca and from the rebound, the same Bonello headed incredibly wide.

On 33 minutes Lija forged ahead with a well taken goal, with Antignolo's pass ripping the Saints' defence apart and Michael Gatt nipped in to beat Gatt with a grounder. Johann Spiteri came in for the nervous Silvio Sciberras, and this substitution paid rich dividends for the Saints. In the fourth minute of injury time a freekick by Thomas was headed by Mifsud against the crossbar and from the rebound Johan Spiteri headed in.

The Saints started the second half on a high note hitting the post with a long range shot from Brincat. But on 52 minutes they were dealt a severe blow when Miguel Mifsud was sent off.

However the Saints went close again with a fierce Degabriele drive that was saved by Mercieca. Lija lost their numerical superiority on 65 minutes when Lanzon was sent off. Minutes later the Saints were awarded a penalty but Trevor Thomas shot wide from the penalty spot.

With seven minutes to go Lija forged ahead when Bonello failed to clear in front of goal and Alan Ellul slotted home this easy chance.

Seconds later St George's were reduced to nine men when Larry Lagana was shown the second yellow card.

In injury time Trevor Thomas made the impossible when he shot wide after dribbling past goalkeeper Mercieca and with an open goal at his mercy.