Watch: Valletta battle past Naxxar Lions to go one point behind leaders Floriana

Valletta preserved their unbeaten record in the YoHealth Malta Premier after a battling 1-0 win over Naxxar Lions.

Emmanuel Bender scored the all-important goal just before half-time to lift the Citizens just one point adrift of leaders Floriana.

For Naxxar, it was a disapponting outcome to a match which saw them hold their own against the Citizens, but their profligacy in front of goal came back to haunt them as they failed to build on last week’s exploit against Sliema Wanderers.

Naxxar were close to take a shock lead when inside the first two minutes Amiel Guehi broke free, but the forward was denied by Valletta goalkeeper Adilson.

Valletta’s response arrived three minutes later when, following a long throw-in, the ball fell to Jefferson, who fired onto the bar, while from the rebound, Yuri Messias hit wide.

The Brazilian striker came close again when, from a short free-kick, he hit a rasping low drive that flashed past the upright.

The first half remained evenly balanced with scoring chances few and far between.

But when it looked like the first half would end in a goalless draw, Valletta struck. The clock marked 42 minutes when from a Brandon Paiber free-kick, Emmanuel Mbende headed the ball past Mathias Debono.

After the break, Valletta almost snatched a second when on 54 minutes, Jefferson powered his way inside the area, but his low shot was saved by Matthias Debono.

Ten minutes later, Naxxar were unlucky when Firmino’s shot beat Adilson but came off the upright.

The Lions were growing in stature and it had to be a fine save by Adilson to keep out Firmino’s firm drive.

In the final stages of the match, Naxxar Lions continued to put pressure on the Valletta defence but could not find a breakthrough as the Citizens held on to another important win.