A 90th minute goal scored by striker Luke Montebello gave Birkirkara another victory this time over Mosta in a well balanced match.

Mosta were the better team in the first half but Birkirkara came back strongly in the second half and snatched the winner in dramatic fashion.

This win lifts Birkirkara above the same Mosta in the standings as the Stripes now catch up with Sliema, and moved closer to league leaders Hamrun Spartans, who unexpectedly dropped two points in their clash against Santa Lucia.

veteran Michael Mifsud started another adventure, this time with the Mosta clours, coming on as a substitute in the second part of the second half.

Kevin Tulimieri had the first attempt on 13 minutes for Mosta and on the other end De Paixao had a shot well saved by the Mosta custodian.

On 24 minutes Mosta went close with a Zachary Brincat effort just missing the target.

On 38 minutes another good move by Mosta wityh the ball towards striker bojan Kaljevic but he was anticipated in time by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

In the dying minutes of the first half two opportunities for the Stripes. In both occassions it was Luke Montebello who tested goalkeeper Mafoumbi who saved his side with two very good saves.

In the second half Birkirkara took control of the match having more possession of the ball and keepeing their opponents in their own half for long stretches.

On 68 minutes however Mosta almost broke the deadlock when Duane Bonnici crossed towards Brincat whose header went just wide.

Both sides appeared settled for a scoreless draw which wopukld have been a fair result too, but the Stripes had other ideas.

On 90 minutes Birkirkara grabbed the winner. De paixao ran lose on the right flank and managed to cross low from the goal line, with falcon leaving the ball to Luke Montebello on the far post, and the Malta striker made no mistake drilling the ball home from close range.

Photo Domenic Aquilina