Substitute Njongo Priso scored late in the game as Valletta came back from one goal down to beat Birkirkara 2-1 and join Mosta on top the BOV Premier League with maximum points from three matches.

For Birkirkara, this was yet another disappointing result after being held in a draw by Tarxien Rainbows in their last outing and now lie five points behind the joint-leaders.

Birkirkara had the first goal-scoring opportunity with a Liliu effort turned into a corner by Henry Bonello. Valletta replied with a freekick by Jhonnattann which was parried by Justin Haber just past the half-hour.

The Stripes took the lead six minutes from the end of the first half when Miccoli released Liliu on the right from a freekick and the Brazilian striker’s low shot was deflected by Claudio Pani past goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

The Citizens however equalised one minute from half-time when off a through-pass by Albert Bruce, Federico Falcone chipped the ball over Haber with a perfect first-timer.

Six minutes from time, Jonathan Caruana went close with a close range header off a corner by Jhonnattann from the left.

However four minutes from time, Valletta notched the winner when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza intelligently served Njongo Priso on the right and the latter rounded Mazzetti before beating Haber with a diagonal shot.

B’KARA Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Nikola Vukanac (68′ Zach Muscat), Mauricio Matias Latini Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat, Edmond Agius (67′ Juan Quero Barraso), Paul Fenech, Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais (77′ Vito Plut), Fabrizio Miccoli, Ryan Camenzuli.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Cain Attard, Ryan Scicluna, Frank Temile.
Coach: Giovanni Tedesco

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Jonathn Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Camielleri, Juan Gill Cruz, Roderick Briffa (66′ Llywelyn Cremona), Albert Bruce, Federico Matias Falcone, Claudio Pani, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (85′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Romeu Pericles Romao (76′ Njongo Priso).
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Jurgen Suda, Russell Fenech, Nicholas Pulis.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: J. Zerafa, C. Pani, P. Fenech, A. Bruce
Scorers: 39′ Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais, 44′ Federico Matias Falcone, 86′ Njongo Priso
BOV Player of the Match: Rowen Muscat
Attendance: 2,883