Two late goals from two substitutes gave ten-man St Andrews a well deserved win over Dingli Swallows.

The match was very disappointing and only came to life in the last 20 minutes of the match when St Andrews had Ronnie Hartvig sent off, but they were still good enough to score two goals to send the Swallows reeling.

The first half was pathetic to say the least. Both goalkeepers could have stayed in their respective dressing rooms. St Andrews had more of the ball but they had nothing to show for their territorial superiority.

Dingli tried to use the fast break weapon to make an impact, but Chirino and Chris Azzopardi were nowhere to be seen in the first 45 minutes, with the latter stretchered off near the end of the first half.

The second half was definitely better stuff with St Andrew’s still holding the upper hand for long stretches. The first attempt at goal came on the hour when Kurt Coleiro tested Farrugia from a distance. Dingli hit back with a fierce freekick by Charlon Sammut that was well saved by Ibrahim.

On 67 minutes substitute Michael Calleja failed to connect in front of goal as he was apparently pushed off the ball. The match was a rather ill-tempered one with several nasty tackles.

On 77 minutes Ronnie Hartvig received marching orders after his second booking following a tackle on Chirino.

But the Saints were not to be denied yesterday and three minutes later they took the lead. Nicky Vella Petroni floated a precise freekick towards Jonathan Briscoe White who headed towards substitute Matteo Desira Buttigieg for the latter to tap the ball home from close range.

The Saints were now all over their opponents as Dingli were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority. Another substitute, Jack Pallen, went close with a well taken freekick sailing over the bar.

In stoppage time the Saints sealed the issue with a second goal. Nicky Vella Petroni ran free on the right flank and crossed towards the unmarked Jack Pallen who hammered the ball home.