Pietà Hotspurs defeated Senglea Athletic 1-0 in a direct clash between the two teams which shared the third place in the BOV First First Division at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

James Scicluna scored the all-important goal for the Hotspurs which puts them three points clear of Senglea.

At the Centenary Stadium, Mqabba moved further away from the danger zone with a 2-1 win over Rabat Ajax.

Goran Adamovic put Mqabba ahead on the 18th minute and Claudio Calleja doubled the score eleven minutes from time. Rabat scored a consolation goal in added time thanks to Lawrence Chiedozie.

San Gwann were denied victory as Fgura United earned a point in a 1-1 draw. Nikolai Muscat put San Gwann ahead two minutes in the second half but one minute from time, Francisco Arriagada Mella levelled matters for Fgura.

In another match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Zebbug Rangers returned to winning ways as they defeated bottom-placed Gudja United 3-1. Lee Galea and Aaron Agius put Zebbug two goals ahead and although Didier Sohna pulled one back for Gudja, Matthew Gauci made it 3-1.

Gzira lead the way with 40 points, followed by Hamrun on 36, Pietà 31, Senglea 28, Lija, Zebbug and Fgura 22, Vittoriosa and Rabat 20, Mqabba and Melita 19, San Gwann 11, St. George’s 10 and Gudja 8.