A goal by substitute Matej Podlogar four minutes in added time gave leaders Slovenia a narrow 2-1 win over Malta in a match from Group 2 of the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying round at the Športni Park in Lendava on Friday.

Dejan Lazarevic put the hosts ahead on 32 minutes but a goal by Terence Vella levelled matters for the team led by Ray Farrugia on 73 minutes.

The game seemed heading for a draw but deep into stoppage time, Podlogar gave Slovenia the three points to move three points clear of Sweden who lost 6-0 to Ukraine.

MALTA Steve Sultana, Jonathan Bajada (52′ Leighton Grech), Zach Muscat, Owen Bugeja, Rowen Muscat (83′ Triston Caruana), Mark Scerri, Terence Vella, Tessous Camilleri, Bjorn Kristensen, Matthew Gauci, Ryan Scicluna (67′ Steve Pisani).

The Malta Under-21 side will be in action once again on Wednesday, facing Sweden at the Orjans Vall Stadium in Halmstad.

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