Birkirkara and Sliema took an early dip into the new year with this crunch fixture which was originally scheduled before the festive period. This might have left the champions with a hangover as they succumbed to their third defeat, putting the league's leadership in jeopardy.

Birkirkara were by far the more determined side, knowing that only a win could see them close on the leading pair of Sliema and Hibernians. This morning the deficit on Sliema has been cut to three points, with the Stripes enjoying a game in hand.

With Ciantar in inspirational form, Birkirkara nearly always looked the more menacing as the Wanderers opted to control their initiative and gamble for a draw. Despite taking the lead, the Wanderers, again far from convincing, did not capitalise and allowed Birkirkara to draw level and then again beat them with a late Ciantar strike that deservingly earned him the best player award.

As part of UNESCO's 6oth anniversary, the Maltese National Commission, in collaboration with UNESCO Club (Malta) sponsored this match. Both teams wore jerseys with the UNESCO emblem and these will be auctioned today in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Two notable absentees, one from each side, were Birkirkara's injured skipper Antoine Zahra and Sliema's suspended Stefan Giglio. The Stripes also had Bonnici missing in defence and Calascione starting on the bench while Sliema included their latest signing, David Carabott, as a second half substitute.

Birkirkara opened with more endeavour than has been the case in recent games, with Camenzuli well involved in their operations.

Soon Barbara made way on the right flank but his low cross found nobody to connect to and the chance went begging.

Midway through the half, Birkirkara carved another opening. Ciantar flicked the ball forward to Briffa, who chested it in Barbara's path. The latter's drive was blocked by keeper Akanji.

Sliema took the lead with their first genuine foray on the half hour. Brincat's splitting pass, after Debono had won possession in midfield, put three Sliema players clear and Danilo Doncic advanced unmolested to slot the ball past a helpless Simon.

But ten minutes later, Birkirkara were on level terms. Mallia played a perfect long ball forward to the unmarked Adrian Ciantar to hook and beat keeper Akanji with a delicate lob.

Showers during halftime made the playing surface somewhat slippery, rendering ball control rather difficult. Birkirkara nearly capitalised with an early Ciantar insidious free-kick, turned into a corner by the outstretched Akanji.

Play became rather scrappy with Birkirkara trying to up the tempo and Sliema shutting down on their opponents, at times resorting to niggling fouls.

In flashes both teams created half chances though. A Bogdanovic low diagonal shot was saved by the grounded Simon. On the other end, Briffa played a long ball forward to Michael Galea who lobbed the ball wide.

With all tactical plans abandoned, it remained anybody's game. Carabott made his debut for Sliema on 70 minutes.

Birkirkara needed a more cohesive approach to break down Sliema. This came ten minutes from time when Adrian Ciantar controlled Barbara's cross and fired a left-foot shot at the top corner beyond Akanji's reach.

The jaded Wanderers were hit hard by that blow and failed to put up a decent reaction, allowing Birkirkara to savour their lead till the end. And in the dying minutes, Camenzuli could have even made it a more emphatic win when presented with a sitter by Barbara but spurned the chance shooting wastefully off target.

Birkirkara: S. David, L.Galea, P. Monye, R. Sammut (E. Yanchev), W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara, M. Galea, A. Ciantar, K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, G. Mallia

Sliema W: M. Akanji, M. Dilello, B. Said, D. Debono, N. Turner, D. Doncic (J. Farrugia), J. Chetcuti (D. Carabottt), I. Woods, J. Brincat, O. Anonam, D. Bogdanovic

Referee: J. Attard, Asst. refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: D. Doncic, A. Ciantar (2)

Yellow cards: D. Debono, I. Woods, J. Brincat, A. Ciantar

Player of the match: A. Ciantar (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. A. Ciantar 2. G. Mallia 3. J. Brincat