Watch: Sliema Wanderers hand Ħamrun Spartans first defeat

Sliema Wanderers boosted their hopes of a Top Six finish when they overcame Ħamrun Spartans 2-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

It was a crucial win for the Wanderers, who were aided by the first-half dismissal of Spartans forward Semal Smajlagic and some uncharacteristic defensive errors from the Spartans that enabled Fernandinho and Vito Plut to provide the goals and secure the three points.

The Spartans tried to produce a strong challenge, but their performance was surely marred by signs of fatigue as they were playing a sixth match in the space of two weeks, and were back in action just two days from making their UEFA Conference League debut against Jagiellonia.

The Spartans had started brightly and after six minutes they almost struck when Ryan Camenzuli sped clear on the right before sending a cross into the path of Semar Smajlagic, who was denied by a one-handed save from Kelvin Agu.

Two minutes later, Mouad El Fanis intercepted Jean Borg’s erratic pass, and the midfielder immediately sent a cross toward Joseph Mbong, who flicked the ball wide.

However, it was Sliema who took the lead on 20 minutes when Adam Magri Overend and surged clear before feeding Fernandinho, who raced past two defenders and hit a low drive past Henry Bonello.

Ħamrun tried to respond, and on 28 minutes, Smajlagic saw his shot hit the side netting.

That turned out to be the last contribution of the Bosnian forward, who a minute later, was shown a straight red card for what the referee judged as a violent tackle on Thiago Espindola.

Despite being with a player more on the pitch, the Wanderers were struggling to make their numerical advantage count.

On 34 minutes, El Fanis came close with a firm drive that was pushed away by Agu.ż

On the restart, Modica made a triple attacking change as he roped in forwards Saliou Thioune and N’Dri Koffi for Jovan Cadenovic and Mouad El Fanis and Domantas Simkus came on for Eder.

The Spartans were unlucky not to equalise on 56 minutes, as they were awarded a free-kick, and Ante Coric’s inswinger hit the bar.

At the other end, Sliema should have killed off the Spartans when Roko Prsa played in Magri Overend, who miscontrolled the ball which fell to Sulahmana Bah, who was denied by the onrushing Henry Bonello.

But the Wanderers were regaled with a second goal on 68 minutes when Polito’s backpass lacked pace and in came Vito Plut who planted the ball past Bonello.

The Spartans looked down and out, and Roko Prsa should have netted a third goal when he broke through, but fired wide with only Bonello to beat.