Melita managed to beat St Andrews to keep their promotion hopes alive. They have now joined Lija Athletic in second place on 37 points.

After just five minutes St Andrews gained a free-kick just outside the penalty area with Jonathan Briscoe White shooting just wide of the far post.

Then Luca Desira Buttigieg lost possession of the ball when all alone infront of Sapiano and on nine minutes a shot by Matthew Calascione just missed the target. The Saints were again very close through Michael Calleja with Melita being denied by Tabone off a Jonathan Mifsud free-kick.

In the 21st minute Melita had a long throw-in by Matthew Borg II which was flicked on by Michael Martin and JONATHAN MIFSUD headed in past Tabone.

Melita continued to dictate the run of play and in the 40th minute a shot by Kane Micallef was well saved by the Saints’ keeper.

After the change of ends play was very balanced with the Saints creating the best opportunities. After just three minutes the Saints were close through Michael Valenzia whose free-kick was saved by Sapiano.

At the other end Melita created dangerous opportunities through Luke Micallef and Ives Bilocca but the Saints could have grabbed an equaliser on two occasions late in the match.

In the 80th minute Luca Desira Buttigieg hit high over the bar from close-range and seven minutes from time an error by Sapiano left the Saints’ substitute Adam Debattista with an open goal but he incredibly shot wide to the dismay of his supporters.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

St.Venera - Mellieha 1-0

The Lightnings were the better side throughout the first half and after 16 minutes they were denied by Simon Gauci from a Nathan Caruana free-kick.

A minute later Alan Ellul hit just wide off the far post with Mellieha being denied by Lightnings’ keeper John Agius off a well-taken freekick by Rueben Vella.

On 33 minutes St Venera tested Gauci through a long-range shot by Rudy Carbonaro and four minutes before the break Glenn Micallef shot just high over the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

Early on in the second period Nathan Caruana went close for the Lightnings but they managed to open the score on 51 minutes when they were given a penalty as a Mellieha’s defender David Cauchi handled the ball in the penalty area. GEORGE FRENDO duly converted to give St Venera the lead.

Mellieha responded through a Philip Camilleri free-kick which was well saved by John Agius but in the 75th minute they could have drawn level when they too were given a penalty for a handling infringement by St.Venera’s defender Yau Mun Law.

Wayne Borg St.John’s shot from the spot was well saved by the Lightnings’ keeper. Mellieha continued to push forward and six minutes from time a strong shot by substitute Kayne Said was well saved by Agius.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.