Sliema Wanderers registered a third win on the trot as they defeated Naxxar Lions 4-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday.
The Wanderers therefore made sure of staying in third place behind Floriana and Hamrun Spartans. Naxxar, on the other hand, suffered a first defeat after eight positive results. They are now seventh on 16 points.
The Wanderers took the lead on the 15th minute when off a cross from the right, Edmond Agius slotted the ball past goalkeeper Matthias Debono.
Naxxar received a setback eight minutes from the end of the first half after Marcilio Wiliam Moreira da Silva was sent off by referee Malcolm Spiteri.
Three minutes in added time, before the end of the first half, Sliema doubled the score when Agius served Vito Plut who rounded a defender before hitting low past goalkeeper Debono.
Nine minutes in the second half, Naxxar reduced the gap when off an assist by Maicon de Souza, Nikolai Micallef hit home past goalkeeper Rashed Al Tumi.
However five minutes later, Geoffrey Acheampong restored the two goal lead, beating Debono with a diagonal shot from the right.
Sliema added another on the 69th minute courtesy of Geoffrey Acheampong, who received a pass by Myles Beerman before beating the Naxxar goalkeeper with a fine shot from outside the area.