Substitute Charlon Sammut proved to be the winning trump card for Dingli as he scored a brace in the second half to give Dingli their third win of the season. Thanks to this victory Dingli have now opened a 14-point gap over the same Msida, anchored at the bottom of the table.

At this stage only a miracle can save Msida from another relegation that will see the Saints falling from the Premier to Division Two in the space of two seasons.

The victory was a deserved one, even though Dingli gave their best on the resumption, thanks to Sammut’s inclusion. Charlon Sammut apart, Jonathan Sapiano also played a very good game, together with Shawn Tellus who was outstanding at the back.

The first half was very disappointing with both sides failing to produce decent football. Msida had their good moments in the opening minutes going near through an Alinho drive from the edge of the area, but then Dingli showed the better ideas, even if they never set any houses on fire.

Jonathan Sapiano was the most effective for Dingli in the first half having two attempts that were well saved by the Msida goalkeeper Jeremy Alden.

At the start of the second half coach Giorev introduced Charlon Sammut for Chris Ciappara, and this move gave immediate effects. On 48 minutes the substitute received a long ball from defence, sped past the lanky Msida defenders to fire home in the top corner of the net.

Dingli were now playing better and Sapiano could have added another one on 53 minutes but his shot went over the bar. Msida tried to hit back with an Alinho shot missing the target and an Adrian Farrugia attempt easily saved by Jeffrey Farrugia.

On 56 minutes Etienne Farrugia blasted high and minutes later Sapiano hit the side netting. On 62 minutes Dingli wrapped the match up when Charlon Sammut struck again, this time hammering in the roof of the net following a short corner taken by Konda.

Msida tried to get back in the game with a Karl Saliba effort sailing over the bar.