Marsaxlokk-Valletta 0-1

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, C. Magro (S. Wellman), M. Licari, G. Sciberras, J.Pace, K. Sammut, C. Frendo (P. Pullicino), D. Bogdanovic, A. Schembri, L. Dimech.

Valletta: S. Darmanin, S. Bezzina, B. Nisevic, M. Grima, R. Forace, U. Edafe, D. Camilleri, K. Fenech (D. Zarb), I. Zammit (K. Magro), R. Siberie (M. Barbara), G. Agius.

Referee: A. Mario Sant. Asst refs: I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri

Scorer: R. Siberie

Yellow cards: C. Magro, B. Nisevic, K. Fenech, K. Sammut, R. Forace, R. Siberie

Red card: K. Sammut

Player of the match: L. Dimech

TMI Top 3: 1. K. Siberie, 2. L. Dimech, 3. I. Zammit

A goal from Richmar Siberie on the 90th minute gave Valletta three precious points which keep them hoping for a third place finish in the League and a berth in next year's UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Marsaxlokk suffered only their third defeat of the season – they had earlier gone down against Birkirkara and Sliema – but it dented their championship title celebrations, although these will be more in evidence the coming weekend after their final match against Sliema.

Valletta remain in fourth place, two points behind Birkirkara, but the Stripes are now under pressure to beat Hibernians to secure the third spot. If they lose and Valletta beat Msida, then it will be the citizens who will overtake Birkirkara, probably leaving the Stripes out of Europe next season.

In an entertaining and keenly contested match, Valletta deserved the verdict albeit with the winner arriving on the stroke of full time. Earlier, Valletta had created the better chances with Ian Zammit and Gilbert Agius missing some good chances which could have assured them of the points earlier.

Marsaxlokk were handicapped by the absence of Kevin Sammut who was shown the red card after two bookable offences midway through the second half.

But the champions never showed their true mettle and Valletta were easily the better team on the field of play, creating the better chances, especially in the second half.

In the first half, Marsaxlokk had the better start with Bogdanovic being dangerous on a couple of occasions, but later, Valletta came back strongly with Ian Zammit and Gilbert Agius being denied by splendid Gauci saves.

In the second half,Valletta again started on attack and Agius twice missed gilt-edged chances to put his side in front after some good work from Zammit.

Marsaxlokk were reduced to 10 men on 24 minutes when Kevin Sammut was dismissed by referee Alan Mario Sant.

On 28 minutes, Valletta were again denied from taking the lead, this time by Luke Dimech who cleared from over the line a shot by Gilbert Agius which had beaten Gauci all ends up.

The winning goal arrived on the 90th minute when David Camilleri sent in an inviting cross from the left for Siberie to head past the diving Gauci.