This top-of -the-table clash played at the Rabat ground was watched by a large crowd. The game was action-packed and played at a very fast pace.
The south seasiders now lead the standings on 28 points from 11 games and a draw would suffice from their last game against St Venera to earn promotion to Section B next season. Mqabba are in third place on 22 points also from 11 games.
After a balanced first period, Birzebbuga enjoyed the lion's share of exchanges after the resumption.
Mqabba created the first action as they won a corner kick on the right flank which was well-taken by Kurt Falzon but a Birzebbuga defender managed to clear the ball away.
The next two actions were created by Birzebbuga. Malcolm Saleeb served Lee Joe Schembri with a through ball but Dylan Briffa foiled him with a timely tackle and Schembri served Saleeb with a square pass but he missed the upright from outside the area.
In another Mqabba attack, Larken Farrugia outsped two opponents on the right flank but the ball was neutralised by keeper Isaac Rapa following his low cross in the area.
In the 9th minute Birzebbuga came very close to open the score when Peter Abdilla served Clayton Frendo in the area and a defender cleared the ball on the goalline from his shot.
Mqabba forged ahead in the 12th minute. Omar Farrugia floated a high ball in the area from a free kick and in the melee that ensued Kevin Psaila scored with a low shot.
Frendo was then fouled on the right flank, Aaron Dalli floated a high ball in the area from the free kick and Mqabba keeper Brandon Debono denied Abdilla with a diving save .
Mqabba then mounted two actions in a row. Omar Farrugia served Kurt Falzon with a through ball but he missed the upright from outside the area.
Birzebbuga came close again in the 29th minute: Schembri was fouled just outside the area, following the free kick by Dalli, Jamie Farrugia shot at goal and Debono managed to clear the ball on the line with his stretched foot and a defender cleared the ball away to safety.
In the last action before the break, Frendo was fouled outside the area and from Dalli's free kick Jamie Farrugia's shot was cleared on the line by a defender.
Five minutes after restart Bizebbuga equalised when Schembri released Saleeb on the left flank and as he tried his luck from outside the area the ball was partly cleared and came in the path of Schembri who scored with a rising shot from the left edge of the area.
In the 48th minute Birzebbuga took the lead as they won a corner kick on the left flank which was well-taken by Frendo. Saleeb scored with a hard rising shot in the roof of the net.
In an Mqabba reaction, Mattia Mentosa served Larken Farrugia on the right flank but the ball found no takers after his cross in the area.
Schembri then served Saleeb with a through pass and he missed the upright by inches while Schembri, after beating a defender outside the area, saw Debono denying him with a diving save to a corner.
Before the end, Rapa saved a header by Omar Farrugia.
Referee: Pierre Azzopardi
Player of the match: Clayton Frendo (Birzebbuga WM)