Vittoriosa Stars and Lija Athletic maintained the challenge for promotion as both registered wins in the two matches from the BOV First Division at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Sunday.

Vittoriosa Stars defeated Pietà Hotspurs 2-0 thanks to goals by Ryan Previ on the 12th minute and Osi Lucky Agboebina ten minutes from time.

On the other hand, Lija Athletic beat Rabat Ajax 2-1. Yanis Tonna put Lija ahead on the 28th minute and Abubaker Bello Osagie doubled the score just before half-time. Joseph Caruana reduced the gap for Rabat on the 66th minute.

Naxxar lead the way with 36 points, followed by Vittoriosa on 35, Qormi 34, Senglea and Lija 32, Mqabba 29, Sirens and Pietà 26, Zebbug 21, Melita and Marsa 20, Rabat 15, Fura 14 and Gharghur 12.