Lija Athletic were the first team to secure promotion to the Premier League after defeating Marsa in one of the three BOV First Division matches in programme on Friday.

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Lija defeated Marsa 4-2. Abubakar Bello Osagie put Lija ahead on the 9th minute, Erjon Beu doubled the score three minutes in the second half, Predrag Babic made it 3-0 on the 56th and Lee Joe Schembri scored a fourth goal on the 69th. Luis Andre de Melo Lima scored twice for Marsa on the 79th and 94th.

Rabat Ajax secured their First Division status as they came from behind to beat Zebbug Rangers 3-2 at the Centenary Stadium. Mauricio Rodriguez Britto put Zebbug ahead on the 15th minute and Luke Gatt doubled the score on the 58th. Ryan Micallef reduced the gap on the 72nd and five minutes later, Micallef equalised. Substitute Ethan Jay Goodman notched the winner six minutes from time.

Meanwhile in another match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Mqabba dropped three precious points in the battle for promotion as they lost 1-3 to Pietà Hotspurs. Jurgen Suda was the hero for the Hotspurs with a goal on the 63rd, a penalty on the 65th and another on the 92nd with Arilson Mello da Silva converting a penalty for Mqabba on the 87th.

Lija lead the way with 51 points, followed by Naxxar on 48, Senglea 47, Mqabba 44, Qormi 43, Pietà 38, Vittoriosa 36, Sirens and Melita 31, Zebbug 27, Rabat 26, Marsa 25, Gharghur 17, Fgura 15.