Birkirkara ended their four-match winless streak, beating troubled Qormi with a brace from Argentine Emiliano Lattes. The goals came towards the end of each half in a match which the Stripes dominated and could have won by a bigger margin were it not for their profligacy, some ill luck and the superlative goalkeeping of Qormi keeper Matthew Farrugia.

Birkirkara also contrived to miss a first half penalty. They now move to fifth place, one point adrift of second-placed trio Tarxien, Marsaxlokk and Floriana in the complex standings.

Following this defeat, Qormi remain in troubled waters, winless and goalless in four consecutive matches and need reinforcements fast, especially in attack, to improve their precarious position.

For long periods yesterday, they were second best to their opponents in nearly all departments and rarely ever troubled the Birkirkara rearguard.

Qormi kept faith in the same starting eleven who played a goalless draw with Hibernians in the previous match.

Birkirkara recovered Rowen Muscat after injury and Shaun Bajada started the match but still had Vukanac and Cilia missing, with Patrick Borg playing alongside Harding in central defence.

Birkirkara tried to hold the initiative in the early stages. Galea’s lob from a distance went narrowly wide. Pulo’s cross was deflected off Giglio’s head and nearly surprised keeper Matthew Farrugia who fisted the ball out for Lattes to shoot the loose ball out.

The Stripes kept up the pressure. On 28 minutes Muscat’s rising shot from some 25 metres out had the Qormi keeper saving with difficulty on the goal line.

A minute later, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty when Bondin was adjudged to have handled Bajada’s cross inside the area.

But Michael Galea hit his kick badly and keeper Farrugia went down to his right and saved.

Shortly after, Farrugia footed out Galea’s effort on a Buhagiar cross.

With halftime looming, Birkirkara’s perseverance paid dividends. On 42 minutes, Emiliano Lattes chased a long ball and his low shot hit the innerside of the post before crossing the line behind the helpless Farrugia.

That one-goal lead gave Birkirkara some breathing space in the second half although they kept looking profligate in front of the Qormi goal, even because Matthew Farrugia frustrated them time and again.

Qormi suffered a setback four minutes after the restart as Bello Osagie was stretchered off and had to be substituted.

Galea’s shot on Pulo’s cross was cleared off the line by Giglio and on 68 minutes Pulo skied the ball from a good position on a Bajada inviting pass.

On 78 minutes, the Qormi players were still protesting for a presumed handling inside the Birkirkara area when Bajada broke loose, avoided the onrushing keeper, but his cross shot was missed by Lattes in front of a gaping goal.

Birkirkara’s second goal which secured the points finally arrived three minutes from full time. Emiliano Lattes was allowed space on the left, he cut inside the area and beat keeper Farrugia with a curling shot.

Qormi M. Farrugia, C. Frendo, J. Vandelanoitte, S. Giglio, R. Sammut (G. Buttigieg), M. Bartolo, K. Bjedov (J. Chetcuti), J. Farrugia, A. Bello Osagie (B. Camilleri), H. Kang

Coach S. Azzopardi

Birkirkara M. Fraser, P. Fenech, J. Zerafa, P. Borg, K. Pulo (T. Paris), R. Muscat, R. Harding, S. Bajada (T. Vella), A. Buhagiar, M. Galea (A. Tabone), E. Lattes

Coach P. Zammit

Referee M. Borg

Asst.refs J. Camilleri, E. Spiteri

4th official T. Farrugia Can

Scorers E. Lattes 42, 87

Yellow cards K. Pulo, C. Frendo, M. Farrugia, T. Paris

Player of the match M. Farrugia (Qormi)

TMI top 3 1.S. Bajada 2. E. Lattes 3. M. Farrugia

Attendance 1,343