Hamrun Spartans powered their way to the top of the standings beating Mosta 3-1 to open up a two-point lead over second placed Hibernians.

The Spartans however only came to life when they were reduced to ten men, eight minutes from the break.

Until then Hamrun had long possession periods but were practically inexistent in front of goal.

They even suffered Mosta’s goal in one of the Blues’ rare attacks.

But then on 37 minutes Hamrun were reduced to ten men in a very controversial decision taken by referee De Gabriele.

A loose ball in midfield with Mosta’s Tulimieri and Hamrun’s Serrano Valero dashing for the ball.

It seemed evident that Tulimieri jumped with both feet at the opponent, but strangely the referee showed the red card to the Hamrun defender.

Ironically this hard decision against the Spartans was the spark they needed and the game from now onwards took a different dimension.

The Spartans seemed to be playing with twelve players as they were now all over the place with Mosta losing all their composure.

Hamrun obtained the equaliser before the break and never looked back continuing to attack after the berak, scoring two further goals and missing some others for a more than deserved victories.

Striker Soares was in great shape destroying Mosta single handedly.

Both sides had a cautious slow start with Hamrun having more of the ball but they never worried the Mosta rearguard.

On 24 minutes Mosta took a surprise lead when goalkeeper Bartolo was hesitant on an Ememe cross and Bojan Kaljevic flicked the ball home.

Hamrun looked demotivated and unable to hit back, but then on 37 minutes came the Serrano Valero incident.

This brought the Spartans to their senses as they started to play brilliantly with Mosta on the defensive.

On 45 minutes a Micallef cross from the right was met by Dodo Soares who headed brilliantly home.

In the stoppage time of the first half a Matthew Guillaumier freekick was brilliantly saved by the Mosta custodian.

Three minutes into the second half Mbong was unlucky when his shot slammed against the crossbar.

Sixty seconds later a Soares shot was well saved by Mafoumbi.

However two minutes later Hamrun took a deserved lead when a Marcelina shot came towards Sasere who flicked the ball home with the ball hitting the base of the upright before finishing at the back of the net.

On 56 minutes Sasere was again unstoppable before crossing towards Sasere who missed a sitter.

On 65 minutes Mosta tried to create something in front of goal with Ememe crossing towards Kaljevic who however headed wide.

Sixty seconds later Mosta were also reduced to ten men when Muchardi received a second booking.

Hamrun continued to attack with Djordjevic incredibly failing to score in front of goal following another Soares move.

However the Spartans finally put their minds at rest on 73 minutes when Soares yet again dribbled his way past the Mosta defenders before passing towards Sasere who scored his second one of the match.

Photo Domenic Aquilina