St Patrick kept the pace with the front runners, and can still be considered as outside favourites for the promotion race, when they yesterday dumped lowly Naxxar Lions 4-0, repeating the scoreline of the first round. Strikers Karl Micallef and Kenneth Abela scored a brace each to crown an overall good performance.

It was a one way traffic affair with the Saints always showing the better ideas, with the Lions never really in the match. The Saints' good start and an early goal, had its effect on the final result as Naxxar who slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat, were made to fight all the way to save the match.

St Patrick opened the score in their first attack after barely five minutes play. Striker Kenneth Abela made his way on the left flank and crossed to the completely unmarked Karl Micallef who had no difficulty in scoring from close distance.

The Saints continued to dictate matters especially in midfield where the return to the side of Brazilian Costa Brazilino gave them an added boost.

The Lions failed to come to grips with their opponents' superiority and Karl Micallef went close again with a dipper from the edge of the area that was well saved by goalkeeper Mercieca.

On the half hour Naxxar had their first attempt at goal when ex-St Patrick star, Anizoba tested Cassar with a dangerous free-kick from the edge of the area. On 35 minutes Costa Brazilino made his way past a couple of defenders but his effort was brilliantly saved by Mercieca.

At the start of the second half, Naxxar went very near to the equaliser when a Fenech free-kick was parried by the goalkeeper against the crossbar, and from the rebound Gilbert Camilleri's header was again blocked by goalkeeper Cassar.

On the other end the Naxxar goalkeeper Mercieca fumbled the ball and striker Kenneth Abela slotted the ball home.

The Saints were now in full command, with the Lions a completely demoralised lot. On 75 minutes St Patrick scored their third goal with substitute Magro making his way on the right flank before passing to Karl Micallef who in turn passed to Abela who found the corner of the net from an acute angle.

A minute later St Patrick completed the goal feast when Kenneth Abela passed to the unmarked Micallef who made no mistake from two metres.