Marsa bounced back from last week’s defeat to Rabat Ajax as they registered a shock 4-1 win over promotion challengers Vittoriosa Stars in one of the two BOV First Division matches in programme at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday.

Rodney Refalo converted a penalty to put Marsa ahead on the 10th minute and although Jamie Pace levelled matters on the 21st, Marsa regained the lead thanks to Gilbert Martin on the 32nd minute. Mark Gauci increased the lead on the 58th and Luis Andre de Melo Lima added another two minutes in stoppage time.

In another match, Lija Athletic defeated Fgura United 4-0 thanks to an Erjon Beu penalty on the 33rd and goals by Lee Joe Schembri on the 48th, Abubakar Bello Osagie on the hour and Predrag Babic one minute in added time.

Naxxar lead the way with 39 points, followed by Lija and Vittoriosa on 36, Qormi, Senglea and Mqabba 35, Pietà 29, Sirens 26, Marsa 23, Zebbug and Melita 21, Rabat 18, Fgura 14 and Gharghur 12.