Xewkija Tigers clinched the Division Two League after a 3-2 victory over Xagħra United in a championship decider.

The two sets of fans created a colourful and noisy atmosphere during this crucial match which turned out to be a nailbiting affair.

Xagħra were the better side in the first half but the Tigers produced a determined reaction after the break to turn the result in their favour and secure promotion to the top flight after just two seasons in the second category.

It was Xewkija who opened the scoring from their first serious attack on 19 minutes. Rodney Buttigieg won a tussle for possession, entered the area and fired a low shot into the net.

Xagħra hit back immediately and took the lead with two goals in the space of two minutes. Andi Koci made it 1-1 with a direct free-kick on 21 minutes and Sylvan Galea put Xagħra ahead two minutes later.

Xewkija looked shell-shocked and Xagħra might have increased their advantage by half-time but goalkeeper Joseph Grima kept his side in contention with some excellent saves from Koci, Sam Frank Bajada and Philip Attard.

The Tigers came back strongly in the second half and levelled the scores after only two minutes through Christian Bugeja's strike from a corner action.

Play now became more exciting as both teams went all out to seize the initiative. Xewkija created the better scoring chances and their efforts were rewarded nine minutes from time when Xagħra's rearguard failed to clear a cross from the right and Andreas Fotso fired home from close distance.

Xagħra were not demoralised and a minute from the end, the woodwork denied them an equaliser.

After the match, GFA officials, headed by president Alvin Grech, presented medals and trophies to the Xewkija players.