San Ġwann 3
Rabat Ajax 3
San Ġwann and Rabat shared six goals between them, a result that meant bottom-placed Senglea are mathematically relegated to Division Two next season. This outcome also suited San Ġwann most as they stayed four points ahead of Rabat in the tussle to avoid the drop with only three matches to go.
The Magpies started with a bang and took the lead inside the first minute of play when from a long ball by the Rabat defence, Adrian Mifsud was left unmarked to beat Justin Spiteri with a perfect lob.
San Ġwann reacted strongly and five minutes later they drew level when goalkeeper Borg and defender Bezzina failed to clear and in came Antoine Zahra who calmly slotted home the equaliser.
Rabat should have gone in front soon after when Mifsud sprinted strongly to meet a superb Wilson Caushi pass, but dallied his action before shooting weakly.
San Ġwann were coming more into the picture though and on 15 minutes a Pisani drive was saved by the Rabat keeper who made another fine save on a Mario Caruana header soon after.
On 21 minutes, San Ġwann made it 2-1 when Firaz Aboulezz hit a scorcher from 30 metres to beat Borg, with the ball hitting the bar on its way in.
The Saints maintained their attacking stance and just before half-time it was 3-1 following a calibrated free-kick taken by Sergio Hili.
Rabat were not looking to lie back, however, and Mifsud sounded their intentions five minutes after the restart when, with his back at goal, he managed to beat Spiteri following a fine Adam Smeir move.
Rabat were leaving a few gaps at the back as they were pushing more men forward. However, San Ġwann failed to profit as the Magpies went close on 69 minutes when Smeir outsmarted Darren Debono but Spiteri saved his shot.
Rabat, however, managed to equalise on 71 minutes when Smeir found substitute Glenn Magri who scored with a rasping grounder.
San Ġwann were not satisfied with the result and late on a Steve Pisani shot hit the foot of a post. From the rebound, Borg saw his shot saved by the Rabat keeper.
San Ġwann
J. Spiteri, C. Giordemaina, M. Francica (R. Zammit), D. Debono, L. Cumbo, M. Caruana, A. Borg, F. Aboulezz, A. Zahra, S. Pisani (R. Sell), S. Hili.
Rabat Ajax
J. Borg, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, J. Caruana, A. Mifsud (D. Galea), A. Smeir, M. Micallef (G. Magri), C. Schembri, E. Muscat, W. Caushi, E. Azzopardi.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Man of the match: Firaz Aboulezz (San Ġwann).