Hamrun Spartans registered their third win in as many matches as an early goal by Jonny enabled them to beat Marsaxlokk 1-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Wednesday.
The Spartans, therefore, join Birkirkara on the nine-point mark, two ahead of Gudja United and three ahead of Balzan.
Marsaxlokk, on the other hand, suffer their second defeat in three matches after holding Gzira United in a goalless draw on Sunday.
Marsaxlokk coach Pablo Doffo opted for four changes from their last outing, naming Edafe Uzeh,
Emerson Vella, Santiago Ferraris and Santiago Moracci in the starting line-up with Conor Borg and Peter Xuereb being among the substitutes while Oscar Carniello and Daniel Agius were missing from the match-day squad. Hamrun, on the other hand, had one change as Rodrigo Callegari Torre replaced Ognjen Bjelicic with Pablo Sanchez confirmed in goal in the absence of Henry Bonello.
The Spartans scored the all-important goal on the 8th minute when off a Matteo Fedele freekick from the left, the ball was deflected, falling into the path of Jonny Robert do Nascimento who slammed the ball in the top right corner.