Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar, M. Grima, B. Nisevic, R. Forace (D. Zarb), J. Bondin (K. Magro), K. Fenech (C. Camilleri), C. Dean, C. Mattocks, I. Zammit, G. Agius

Hamrun S: J. Cordina, I. Zammit, J. Debattista, P. Ndubisi Ndah, R. Mangion, K. Borg, A. Mansueto (C. Nwankwo), M. Okoro, R. Fenech, G. Spiteri (D. Cucciardi), S. Sultana (J. Magri Overend)

Referee: L. Sammut Asst. refs: K. Borg, E. Spiteri 4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: K. Borg, G. Agius, Ivan Zammit

Yellow cards: K. Borg, M. Okonkwo, G. Spiteri, Ivan Zammit

Player of the match: Ivan Zammit (Hamrun Spartans)

TMI top three: 1. Ivan Zammit 2. M. Grima 3. J. Cordina

Hamrun Spartans snatched a precious win in their battle to reach for a Championship Pool place after beating Valletta in a match of see-sawing fortunes.

The Spartans hung on to a Kevin Borg early lead for more than 80 minutes, surviving many scares during a Valletta onslaught, until they were caught up by Gilbert Agius' late equaliser only to hit back immediately with a decisive strike from Ivan Zammit, undoubtedly the main protagonist of his side' success.

Besides scoring the winner, the former Valletta player was the anchor man in defence, dismantling most of Valletta's raids, although keeper Cordina was also prominent with a string of fine saves, especially towards the end of the first half, when Valletta looked most dominant.

The return of Okoro galvanised Hamrun's midfield as they soon put Birkirkara's debacle behind them. Sadowski was missing through suspension.

Valletta made four changes in the starting line-up from their previous outing, with the return of Nisevic, Bondin and Dean as well as the inclusion of their new recruit Claude Mattocks in midfield.

Buoyed by a sturdy win against Hibernians, the Citizens were cheered on by their merry supporters, who turned up in good numbers, but their keeper Sullivan was the first put severely to test after only six minutes, when forced to stretch himself to save Sultana's diagonal drive into a corner.

The Spartans could scarcely have made a more promising and productive start. They scored after 16 minutes when Ivan Zammit's sailing free-kick from the left was cleared by the Valletta defence. The ball fell to the unmarked Kevin Borg on the edge of the area and as he steadied himself he picked up his spot with a drilling shot past the helpless Sullivan.

It was largely Hamrun, unexpectedly, who made the chances for the first part of the half. Sultana flicked the ball to the advancing Spiteri who, although challenged by Forace, was on the point of shooting when foiled by the onrushing Sullivan.

To their credit, Valletta were not a bit demoralised and for the remaining 20 minutes of the first half they exerted a lot of pressure on their opponents and, on a couple of occasions, might have equalised.

Ian Zammit slipped the ball beneath keeper Cordina's outstretched arms but Ivan Zammit cleared his goal-bound effort on the line.

After a low Grima drive from outside the area went tantalisingly wide, an Agius overhead kick was turned into a corner by Cordina, who also saved Nisevic's close header from the ensuing flag kick.

Bondin went close with a powerful close range shot, footed into a corner by the Hamrun keeper, after connecting well on Mattock's deep cross. On the stroke of halftime, a Grima corner from the left was cleared by Hamrun into Forace's path, his cross fell to Ian Zammit who hit wide in front of Cordina.

The Hamrun custodian did well to palm out Ian Zammit's insidious cross shot and then stretched himself to keep out Grima's menacing free-kick.

Valletta continued to show their implicit superiority as the Hamrun rearguard never looked truly comfortable after the restart.

Agius played the dummy for substitute Camilleri on a Forace low cross, but his efforts were blocked time and again by Hamrun's defenders.

Hamrun threatened on 67 minutes with an Ivan Zammit free-kick just over. And as Valletta surged forward, they left gaps at the back, which could have been exploited better by Spiteri had he been more accurate in his conclusions.

Valletta were again soon in command and drew level on 82 minutes. On a Grima free-kick from the right, Gilbert Agius stooped low to head the ball in from close range.

Hamrun immediately effected a double substitution, putting in Nwankwu and Magri Overend and within three minutes they regained their lead. A Spiteri free-kick took a deflection off the Valletta wall and fell to the unmarked Ivan Zammit who beat Sullivan with a powerful diagonal shot from the edge of the small box.

Hamrun's joy knew no bounds and as frustrated Valletta showed some urgency in their search for a late equaliser, the Spartans threatened further with Spiteri and Nwankwu close shaves after finding wide gaps in the unbalanced Valletta rearguard.

Hamrun now play their last decisive match against neighbours Msida the coming weekend.