Leaders Valletta had to fight hard for their narrow win as they were stretched to the limit by plucky Mqabba, 26 points and seven places behind them before kick off.

Twice Valletta had to change their tactical plans, before Michael Mifusd levelled matters and finalyy defender Steve Borg scored the winner two minutes from time. Trailing to Mqabba’s early lead for more than 45 minutes, Valletta had to turn to substitutes Gilbert Agius and Alfred Effiong to give them some badly required impetus, ten minutes into the second half, after an abysmal performance in the first period.

Valletta started with Jamie Pace as holding midfielder, with Barbosa moving upfield to support the attack and pose some aerial threat in the opposing area.

After withdrawing Zongo and Edmond Agius, Barbosa retreated alongside Jamie Pace and with the latter also substituted later on, Gilbert Agius played in a more defensive role.

Mqabba, coming off a draw against Balzan, were bereft of their suspended midfielder Claudio Calleja and John Mwoba was given a start in attack.

Despite all their efforts and bold display, Mqabba were unable to counter Valletta’s primacy.

Mqabba fought gamely in their gutsy and athletically way but were finally beaten by their opponents’ sheer expertise.

Clive Mizzi’s lads stunned the champions with their first genuine attack after eight minutes. David Azzopardi’s deep cross from the left found John Mwoba completely unmarked to nod in past the helpless keeper Hogg.

Allowed little comfort on the ball by their resilient opponents, Valletta found it hard to produce anything productive. Too predictable in their build-ups, wide players Zongo and Denni found it extremely difficult to make progress. Valletta raked too many crosses inside the Mqabba area but were stifled by the towering presence of Branislav Timotic.

Midway through the half, Mifsud chased Barbosa’s cross inside the Mqabba area but was blocked by keeper Kris Calleja.

The Valletta forward was twice denied by close offside calls. Towards the half hour he crossed for Barbosa to head towards goal but the keeper saved.

On the stroke of halftime, Edmond Agius twice had low shots going wide when the ball was played square to him by Zongo.

Mqabba kept the momentum even after the resumption. Mazitelli’s surging run on the left provided Potezica with a chance but his shot went wide.

On 52 minutes Denni went past two opponents, put Barbosa clear but keeper Calleja blocked well. A Pace back header after that put the Valletta defence under pressure as Mwoba’s shot was blocked by two Valletta defenders.

It was time for the leaders to effect a double substitution, putting in Gilbert Agius and Alfred Effiong to inject some required verve in the side.

The change worked well. On 56 minutes Effiong won a tackle with Timotic, ran clear but keeper Calleja held out his shot, only for Michael Mifsud to pounce on the loose ball and shoot in.

The equaliser transformed Valletta who laid siege on the Mqabba fort. Keeper Calleja produced a smart save on 69 minutes, stretching himself to hold out Briffa’s drilling shot from 25 metres out.

Gilbert Agius sent an inviting cross from the right but the Mqabba keeper again saved Effiong’s close header.

Mqabba’s cutting edge had been severely dented by then, even because the not fit Mamic had replaced Mwoba but soon left the pitch, leaving Mazitelli to plough a lone furrow up front.

With time running out, Valletta increased their efforts, also putting in Dyson Falzon. Borg headed Agius corner over and Effiong’s shot was blocked by Timotic, as Mqabba refused to buckle under pressure.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Mqabba’s short clearance fell at the feet of Steve Borg who beat Calleja with a defiant strike at the top corner.

Valletta looked relieved. Mqabba were rattled.

Mifsud went close again as his first effort on Effiong’s pass was saved by the keeper and his second on the rebound, hit the post.

Mqabba K. Calleja, M. Potezica, J. Briffa, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi (S. Magro), T. Mazitelli, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, R. Sammut, J. Mwoba (B. Mamic) (M. Briffa), C. Micallef

Coach C. Mizzi

Valletta A. Hogg, S. Borg, J. Caruana, R. Briffa, J. Pace (D. Falzon), E. Agius (G. Agius), I. Azzopardi, D. Dos Santos, O. Zongo (A. Effiong), W. Barbosa, M. Mifsud

Coach J. Zerafa

Referee M. Spiteri

Asst.refs M. Debono, T. Debono

4th official P. Caruana

Scorers J. Mwoba 8, M. Mifsud 57, S. Borg 88

Yellow cards J. Caruana, P. Grima, J. Briffa

Player of the match Kris Calleja (Mqabba)

TMI top 3 1. B. Timotic 2. K. Calleja 3. J. Caruana