A goal from substitute Diego Cucciardi four minutes from full time gave Hamrun three precious points yesterday evening.

In a keen and tough, albeit entertaining match, the Spartans just had the better of a Pieta side which has now slipped a further place in the standings.

In the first half, Hamrun held a slight edge over their rivals and also deserved their slender 2-1 lead. Ivan Zammit and Patrick Ndahndubisi were in command at the back and rarely gave the Pieta strikers the chance to go for goal.

The half was characterised by two good goals, the first for Hamrun by veteran Sultana, a header after just 34 seconds, and a fine freekick from Martin Deanov which resulted in Pieta’s equaliser.

Pieta were a better side on the changeover, especially after having equalised through a controversial goal.

But Hamrun found the energy to get back at their opponents and eventually scored the winner a few minutes from the end.

The match had an electrifying start. Hardly 30 seconds had gone by and Hamrun were already in the lead. From a Ryan Fenech freekick, veteran Stefan Sultana headed home.

On 21 minutes, Pieta had a good chance to equalise. From a Pulo corner, Camenzuli missed his header from an ideal position.

On 26 minutes, Hamrun were unlucky not to score again. Fenech set Gaetan Spiteri beautifully, but Hogg came to Pieta’s rescue with an excellent save. From the rebound, Okoro’s fine rising shot hit the crossbar with the help of Hogg and eventually the ball was cleared to corner.

Two minutes later, Pieta drew level with an excellent goal. They were awarded a freekick and from about 30 metres, Martin Deanov’s inswinger gave goalie Cordina no chance.

On 33 minutes, Hamrun again took the lead with a well executed goal. Ivan Zammit received a throw in from Kevin Borg and squared the ball to Rupert Mangion. The latter controlled it well and concluded into the net via the upright.

Just before the interval, a Sciuto freekick had a slight deviation, but the ball went wide to corner.

As the second half started, Pieta equalised through a controversial goal. A loose ball saw Pieta defender Camenzuli in a suspicious offside position. His first shot was saved by Cordina, but his second attempt found the net.

On 50 minutes, it was Sciuto who went close with a low shot from a freekick that went past the upright.

Three minutes later, at the other end, Sultana’s header, off a Zammit freekick, went wide.

On 59 minutes, it was substitute Ryan Camilleri who went close after a fine solo action. His low shot beat Cordina, but the ball just missed the upright.

On the 68th minute, with Cordina well out of position on the right flank, Kevin Borg saved the day for Hamrun as he cleared a dangerous cross in front of goal.

On 78 minutes, Cordina became a Hamrun hero when he saved the result for Hamrun as he dived to save spectacularly an effort from substitute Ciscaldi destined for the back of the net.

Hamrun got their winner on the 86th minute. From a Mangion cross, Cucciardi headed past Hogg to give his side the lead for a third time.

In added time, goalie Hogg, up with his forwards, headed just wide after a corner-kick action.

The final whistle found Spartans winning three precious points.