A goal two minutes in the second half by Rafael Morisco handed Mosta a narrow win over Senglea Athletic at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.
This third win in four matches enables the Blues to move sixth on 22 points, one ahead of Balzan and two ahead of Birkirkara before the latter two cross swords on Monday.
Senglea, on the other hand, have now gone nine matches without a win although three draws in the previous three matches and a good showing in the FA Trophy against leaders Floriana gave the indication that they were on the right track. They are now second from bottom together with Gudja United.
Mosta were unlucky not to take the lead on the 35th minute with a Zachary Brincat effort which hit the crossbar.
However, two minutes into the second half, Rafael Morisco da Silva headed the ball home off a cross by Takanori Yokochi.
MOSTA Nicholas Vella, Santiago Perlaza, Terence Agius, Takanori Yokochi, Rafael Morisco, Ebrima Sohna, Christian Chaney (89′ Kyle Gatt), Tyrone Farrugia, David Brown, Matias Muchardi, Zachary Brincat.
Subs not used:
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Joseph GrechSENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Connor Zammit, Sigitas Olberkis, Dejan Debono, Siraj Arab (69′ Taisei Marukawa), Gonzalo Virano, Jose Wilkson Teixeira, Jan Tanti (55′ Jurgen Debono), Sean Cipriott (55′ Ricardo De Almeida), Junior Cabral, Anderson Carneiro do Nascimento.
Subs not used:
Coach: Giorgio Roselli
Asst. Coach: Davor FilipovicReferee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Tanti, Muchardi, Olberkis
BOV Player of the Match: Rafael Morisco