After collecting just four points from the previous ten matches, Valletta returned to winning ways as a goal late in the first half handed them a narrow win over Balzan at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
A win which keeps alive hopes of avoiding relegation as they now stand two points behind Santa Lucia and three behind Mosta. Balzan, on the other hand, continue to share the eighth place with Gzira United, three points ahead of Mosta.
The Citizens scored the all-important goal four minutes from the end of the first half when off a through ball by Brandon Paiber, Federico Falcone headed the ball in the direction of Victor Luis Prestes Filho who headed the ball over goalkeeper Rudy Briffa.