Birkirkara failed to close in on second placed Floriana as they were held in a 1-1 draw by Gzira United at the National Stadium on Sunday.
The Stripes remain third, at least temporarily, and now lie on the 40-point mark, two ahead of Hamrun and three ahead of Gzira but the Spartans will be in action later on Sunday against Gudja.
The Maroons took the lead on the 8th minute when off a cross by Yuri Messias, Gabriel Bohrer’s header was blocked by goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes and Jefferson de Assis headed home from close range.
Birkirkara equalised twelve minutes in the second half when off a Leandro Aguirre corner, Marko Cosic pressed by Enrico Pepe committed an own goal.
One minute in added time, the Stripes ended in ten men after Enrico Pepe received a second yellow card and was therefore sent off.