St. Andrews and Pembroke Athleta moved another important step towards promotion as both registered wins in the BOV First Division on Sunday.

Leaders St. Andrews defeated Rabat Ajax 2-1 to stay two points clear. Matteo Desira Buttigieg put Luxol ahead on the 26th and the same player doubled the score on the 71st. Adam Smeir pulled one back for Rabat nine minutes from time.

Pembroke Athleta registered a seventh consecutive positive result as they defeated Gzira United 2-0. For the Maroons, this was the second consecutive defeat, leaving them in fifth place, three points behind Fgura who however have a game in hand.

Lyden Micallef put Pembroke ahead on the 17th and three minutes from the end of the first half, Ariel Laudisi doubled the score.

A brace by Larson Mallia gave St. George’s a 2-1 win over Vittoriosa Stars in the derby. The Saints took the lead on the 24th thanks to Larson Mallia and the same player doubled the score on the 31st. Felipe Canavan scored a consolation goal for Vittoriosa on 62 minutes.

Lija Athletic secured their First Division status with a 5-1 win over bottom-placed Birzebbuga St. Peter’s. Nigel Spiteri put Lija ahead on the half-hour and nine minutes later, Ige Abdullahi Adeshina doubled the score. Three minutes in the second half, Anthony Ewurum pulled one back for Birzebbuga but Adeshina made it 3-1 on 68 minutes. Kyle Hendry increased the lead further on 73 minutes before Adeshina completed a hat-trick on the 86th.

St. Andrews lead the way with 45 points, followed by Pembroke on 43, Fgura 39, Melita 38, Gzira 36, Vittoriosa 35, Gudja and St. George’s 34, Lija 31, Mqabba 29, Rabat 22, Zurrieq 18, Msida 14 and Birzebbuga 12.