FYR Macedonia skipper Toni Micevski led by example as his team beat Malta 2-1 in their Group Eight qualifier in Valletta yesterday.
After a tame first half, a cross by Micevski set up the opening goal for the Macedonians in the 49th minute, Igor Sasa Nikolovski providing the finishing touch.
Malta tried to tighten their defence but Srdjan Zaharievski found his way through with a long-range shot after 62 minutes to press home Macedonia's advantage. That setback galvanised the Maltese, who mounted several attacks and were rewarded when Paul Sixsmith hammered the ball home from long range in the 69th minute.
Malta maintained their offensive for the rest of the match, with Gilbert Agius firing narrowly wide, but could not prevent their fourth consecutive defeat in the group.
Malta: Muscat, Sixsmith, Camilleri, Spiteri, Debono, Buttigieg, Busuttil, Saliba (Turner), Nwoko (Carabott), Brincat, Cutajar (Agius).
FYR Macedonia: Milosevski, Veselinovski, Nikolovski, Sedloski, Babunski, Stavreski, Zaharievski, Micevski, Bozinov (Stankovski), Sainovski, Sakiri.
Scotland's Old Firm clubs have experienced mixed lick before Saturday's derby. Rangers have abandoned their attempt to sign the German gaolkeeper Andreas Kopke but Celtic expect to complete the signing of the Sweeden midfielder Johan Mjallby today for a fee of around £1.5 million.
