Birkirkara's unbeaten streak continued yesterday as they chalked up their third consecutive league win, without conceding a goal in the process.

They made clean calculated work of champions Marsaxlokk, scoring a goal in each half, to join Floriana at the top of the Premier League after four matches. Buoyed by a sturdy victory against Sliema Wanderers the previous week, the Stripes showed good tactical discipline throughout, and the final outcome was never in doubt.

For Marsaxlokk this was an opportunity to regain their form after a disappointing defeat by Hamrun Spartans. Their build-up play and industrious midfield, where Pace and Pullicino excelled in the second half, deserved more than that but their final pass and finishing left much to be desired.

The opening exchanges were high on energy but lacking scoring opportunities as two tight defences yielded very little space to their opponents. With Frendo on the bench, Marsaxlokk gave Malcolm Licari an advanced attacking role, supporting Gomes, as Camenzuli, playing against his former team, was deployed in defence. Da Silva started the match in midfield, where Birkirkara crowded the zone with five or six players in a flexible 4-5-1 formation. That allowed little for creativity.

After a barren half hour, we were finally regaled with a goal from Birkirkara's side. Michael Galea's cross from the right fell to Alan Tabone whose shot from outside the area took a wicked deflection off a Marsaxlokk player, past helpless goalkeeper Debono.

Birkirkara nearly made them two three minutes later when Tabone's through ball put Michael Galea clear but the Marsaxlokk keeper rushed out of his line to block.

The Stripes could defend their lead with minimal difficulty till halftime.

As expected, the champions reverted to a more direct approach on resumption but lacked a poacher to finish the job. Gomes' cross from the left was fractionally missed by Licari and on the latter's cross, Sammut headed tamely off target.

On 50 minutes, Licari surged down the right flank on Pullicino's pass, but Mallia cleared the ball into a corner. Camenzuli's effort went just wide and a Gomes header on Sammut's cross was comfortably saved by keeper Borg.

But just when Birkirkara looked to be wilting under Marsaxlokk's incisive attacks, they struck on 65 minutes.

Winning a corner from the right, Tamboulas' shot was blocked by the grounded goalkeeper but utility man Ron Hartvig was quick to shoot in the loose ball.

At that point, Marsaxlokk's flickering hopes were severely dented. Coach Talbot put in Sciberras and Templeman but Birkirkra still looked the more likely to score when Hartvig set the ball rolling from the back towards Bajada, who threaded the ball to Michael Galea, shooting tantalisingly wide, before being substituted by Mifsud Triganza.

Marsaxlokk's late reaction was flaccid, well aware that their time was up as they conceded a second consecutive defeat which might suggest that their present form is temporary in crisis.