Birkirkara's narow win over Sliema Wanderers, courtesy of a first half strike by Liliu, enabled them to cut the deficit to seven points behind leaders Hibernians and five points over Valletta and Balzan below them.

It Birkirkara might have deserved their win for playing the better football in the first half and accumulating more scoring opprtunities, but their form dripped drastically in an uneventful second period and failed to be more clinical in front of goal.

Yet Sliema failed to capitalise. The Wanderers had brief spells when they looked mildly threatening but Birkirkara are a direct and physically imposing side.

There was only one change in the Stripes' starting line-up from the previous defeat against Hibernians. The injured Vukanac was replaced by Shola Shodiya, with Matheus Bissi playing in a retreated role alongside Zach Muscat and Alejandro Mendoza.

Central defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino returned for Sliema after suspension, with Trevor Cilia making way.

Birkirkara started in more lively fashion, with Herrera pushing  forward down the right channel, where Martinelli looked at pains to provide decent cover.

A Ledesma powerful free kick rebounded off the Sliema wall and a shot by Scicluna was blocked as the Wanderers amassed their penalty area.

The breakthrough came on 22 minutes as Sliema's unorthodox defence desperately tried to hold off a spell of sustained pressure from Birkirkara and Liliu tapped in a Shodiya cross from the left, on a Camenzuli throw-in.

Sliema's reaction came only a minute later with a Mifsud incursion from the right, blocked by the alert Birkirkara keeper Haber.

After their lead, Birkirkara found it hard to get any real momentum, showing some excessive carelessness in front of goal.

Sliema were still in contention by halftime.

They ventured forward with more frequency after the interval but were always toiling for an equaliser. The Birkirkara keeper Haber remained mostly inoperative.

Both coaches tried to break the monotony, with Bikirkara putting in Edmond Agius for Shodiya and Sliema respondeed with the introduction of Fel;ipe Talatao for Potezika.

The only noteworthy episode of a dismal second half was Ledesma's dismissal 12 minutes from the end. He took too long to leave the field when substituted by Schevchenko and, after being shown the yellow card, he clapped towards the referee and was rightly sent off.

Even with numerical advantage and after putting in Trevor Cilia, Sliema struggled to make any impression. Despite all their generous efforts, the Wanderers were left to contemplate a poor start to the season, with only three wins from 10 matches, as Birkirkara held on to their slender lead.

The much awaited derby between neighbours  Qormi and Zebbug Rangers ended with honours even and although ten points separated the teams before kick-off, the gulf did not show on the pitch.

Credit to Zebbug who gave a spirited performance in a decent challenge and deserved their point at the end.

Although showing territorial superiority, Qormi had to fight back for an equaliser, from their most dangerous striker on the night, Ryan Micallef, after falling behind through a Carlo Monti penalty on the hour in an entertaining and flowing match, embellished by a colourful and noisy atmosphere at the Hibernians Stadium.

Zebbug, who had collected only one point from their previous four matches, had new coach Alfonso Greco making his debut on the bench and welcomed Javier Serrano and Clifford Gauci back after suspension.

Ominously for their opponents, Qormi went into this match on the back of three consecutive wins against Mosta, Floriana and Tarxien. Yesterday they were bereft of striker Frank Temile, with his replacement, Ryan Micallef, partnering Alfred Effiong in attack. One other change was the inclusion of Albert Bruce from the start instead of Bjorn Bondin, who was named among the substitutes.

Zebbug stayed composed, with a flat-four defence and three men, Matthew Bartolo, Thomas Paris and Matias Muchardi, in front of them, but invited Qormi to take the early initiative.

Still, Zebbug were the first to threaten inside the first quarter hour through Britto, their main reliance for goal as he spearheaded their attack. When he outpaced Mazzetti, Bruce was quick to clear the ball into a corner and on a Borg cross, Britto headed safely at keeper Farrugia.

But then Zebbug had to endure a spell of sustained pressure. A Quatrochi shot flashed just wide before Chetcuti ran dangerously inside the Zebbug area from the left and sent a low cross which Micallef hit narrowly off target. On the half hour, Quatrochi's progress inside the area on a Pisani through pass, was halted by the Zebbug defenders.

The Rangers came up with a threat of their own in the half's late stages. Monti advanced down the right after beating Bruce's challenge but shot wide. And then they broke away with Bartolo playing a long ball to Britto, whose final shot lacked the required precision.

Joseph Chetcuti, who had suffered a knock in the first half, did not turn out for Qormi after the interval and was replaced by Bjorn Bondin. For the first quarter hour, Qormi seemed to have lost their grip in midfield and Zebbug showed more competitive courage during that period.

They were boosted by a penalty award on the hour after Carlo Monti got the better of Mazzetti inside the Qormi area and was pushed by the same player. Monti sent keeper Farrugia the wrong way to score from the spot.

The goal demanded an immediate response from Qormi and on 67 minutes the Zebbug keeper Morales rushed out of his line to block on Micallef, with Bjorn Bondin shooting the loose ball against the foot of the post.

And four minutes later, Qormi restored equilibrium. A Mazzetti floating free kick from the right took a deflection in the path of Ryan Micallef who struck low past the helpless keeper Morales from close range.

Both teams looked pleased to settle for a point after that. Qormi put in Steve Agius for Vella and Zebbug replaced Britto with Bojan Mamic for the final five minutes. An Agius cross shot from the left clipped the Zebbug bar and Micallef almost won it for Qormi a minute from time. He beat Seantore's challenge for possession but steered the ball off the post.

What relief for Zebbug who could preserve a precious point!