Hamrun Spartans defeated Mosta 2-1 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Monday to keep the pressure on second-placed Floriana.
This was the fourth win on the trot for Mark Buttigieg’s side who stay two points behind the Greens, moving four ahead of Birkirkara and Valletta.
Mosta, on the other hand, continue to share the second place from bottom with Gudja United and Santa Lucia as they have now gone six matches without a win.
Raul Manuel Fernandes Da Silva was making his debut for the Blues who lacked Ivan Doric and Tyrone Farrugia.
The Spartans took the lead on 34 minutes thanks to a great header by Claude Dielna which ended in the top left corner following a Luke Gambin freekick.
Mosta levelled matters five minutes from the end of the first half after Luis Riascos was brought down inside the area and from the penalty spot, Clayton Failla converted.
However, Hamrun regained the lead five minutes in the second half when off an assist by Emerson Marcelina, Faissal El Bakhtaoui had a shot from outside the area blocked by goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi but Joseph Mbong headed home off the rebound.