Birkirkara returned to winning ways as they registered a most dramatic 3-2 win over Gzira United at the National Stadium on Saturday.
A win which puts the Stripes in fifth place, two points behind Marsaxlokk and Sliema and one ahead of Hibernians and Naxxar but Birkirkara played a game more than the other teams. The Maroons, on the other hand, managed to come back from two goals down only to concede a third goal in added time to stay ninth, just five points ahead of the three bottom teams.
Birkirkara took the lead on the 11th minute when Andrei Ciolacu squared the ball low from the right and Maxuell Maia slid the ball past goalkeeper Darijan Zarkov.
The Stripes doubled the score on the 67th when Andrei Ciolacu, served just outside the area slotted the ball past the Gzira custodian.
The Maroons’ reaction was immediate and two minutes later, Lucas Ribeiro anticipated the onrushing goalkeeper Marcel Zapytowski with a shot from outside the area following a through pass on the right.
Gzira equalised four minutes from time when off a cross from the right, Lucas Ribeiro’s effort was deflected by Jovan Pajovic past goalkeeper Zapytowski.
However five minutes in added time, the Stripes regained the lead when substitute Adailton concluded a good run on the left by serving Ali Diakite who hit home past Zarkov.
