KUI TAN collected three valuable - and unexpected - points in their relegation fight with a 2-1 victory over third-placed Michelotti at Shamshuipo Sports Ground last night. After falling behind in the third minute to a goal from Michelotti striker Tony Sealy, Kui Tan hit back through Chan Hoi-yin and Lau Tik-lun to lead 2-1 at the break. They then staged a determined rearguard action in the second half to hang on for only their third win in 14 league games. The three points move them on to 14 from 14 matches, eight points clear of the relegation zone. With British Forces anchored at the bottom with one point from 13 matches, Happy Valley occupy the second relegation spot with six points from 12 games. Kui Tan skipper Darren Bloodworth said: ''This is just what we needed to give us some breathing space over Happy Valley. Although they have two games in hand, we have the points on the board and still have to play them in the league. This will put them under a lot of pressure when we meet them again.'' As for Michelotti, they missed the chance to go second in the table behind Eastern. But their third defeat of the season kept them in third place, two points behind Instant-Dict. Michelotti's best chance to pull level came in the first minute of the second half but striker Alan Walsh put a chance over from six yards. Kitchee have retained their striker-midfielder Gary Williams until the end of the season. Kitchee boss Fred Ng Chi-keung was ready to terminate the contract of Williams and Robert Spence in the hope of signing a new striker from England. But the deal fell through and Ng decided to retain Williams and release Spence. Kitchee have also agreed terms with their former England winger, Mark Barham, whose initial contract was due to run out on April 5. Barham will now stay with the club until the end of May, joining Jon Widdows, Sean Edwards, John Clare and Williams in their five-strong overseas quota.
