With Melita winning the first match, the pressure again shifted on Mqabba who could not afford to lose to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Totally superior to their opponents for long stretches, Mqabba demolished an understrength St Andrews side 4-1, including two penalties and an own goal.

By virtue of this win, Mqabba now go second alone in the standings, having played a match more than Mosta.

The Saints were missing some regulars like keeper Carandente, Jonathan Briscoe White and Ronnie Hartwig.

They never put up a decent challenge and their temporary equaliser after 11 minutes was only a false dawn as they succumbed to their seventh defeat of the season which leaves them second from bottom.

An eventful first quarter hour produced three goals as the match was off to an explosive start.

Mqabba went close after only three minutes. Mazitelli crossed from the right to the unmarked John Paul Muscat. His tame effort beat keeper Cauchi but Chetcuti cleared off the line.

There was no denying Mqabba on six minutes. Claudio Calleja picked a defensive clearance and beat the St Andrews’ keeper hands down with a fierce shot from outside the area.

Some minutes later, Calleja injured his ankle and had to be substituted.

At Andrews levelled matters on 11 minutes. Jon Paul Calleja advanced from the blind side on the right. His shot was blocked by keeper Calleja but the unmarked Faisial Alkanua connected well to toe poke the ball in.

It took Mqabba only two minutes to regain the lead. Mazitelli was felled by Chetcuti inside the Saints area and John Paul Muscat tucked away the resultant penalty.

The match lost much of its early vigour after that although Mqabba remained technically the more superior side.

Towards half time, Albanian Caushi went past his opponent inside the area but was denied by keeper Cauchi’s good save into a corner to keep his side into the match.

After the resumption, Mqabba continued were they left in the first half. Mazitelli ran inside the area but keeper Cauchi blocked his shot.

On 58 minutes Briffa crossed from the right. Timotic arrived on the ball but his header was blocked. With Mqabba holding the initiative, Briffa advance from half pitch but shot narrowly wide when faced by the onrushing keeper.

St Andrews finally collapsed to concede a third goal when defender Chetcuti deflected Caushi’s effort into his own net.

With the points virtually secured, Mqabba eased down a bit although they still remained potent going forward.

They were even awarded a very debateabale penalty on 78 minutes when Briffa ran in for Caushi’s pass inside the area and fell when he came into contact with the Saints keeper who tried to block. Thiago Mazitelli made it 4-1 from the spot kick to complete the formailities.

St Andrews A. Cauchi, A. Camilleri Kamsky, B. Diacono (P. Briscoe White), N. Chetcuti, K. Galea (J. Bugeja), M. Valenzia, W. Camilleri, A. Amato, F. Alkanua, J. Calleja (M. Desira Buttigieg), K. Coleiro

Mqabba K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, A. Scicluna, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi (J. Shead), T. Mazitelli, C. Calleja (M. Briffa), J.P. Muscat, V. Caushi, S. Magro

Referee T. Farrugia Cann