In a bad first half for Malta, the top scorer for the Sky Blues had a ninth minute effort saved and four minutes later had a shot blocked.
Moldova took the lead in the 24th minute through a penalty scored by Bugaev with Viorel Frunza scoring in the 31st and 35th minute to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.
Scerri pulled one back in the 71st minute to delight the home support who went ballistic when Michael Mifsud netted in the 84th minute.
The visitors, who were picking up yellow cards like they were going out of fashion, were reduced to ten men with six minutes left when Golovatenco was dismissed for a second bookable but they held on to win.
A number of Coventry City supporters were in Moscow to watch England go down to a 2-1 Euro 2008 Qualifying defeat against Russia. Wayne Rooney scored England's goal.
Canley lad Graham Alexander started for Scotland in their 2-0 defeat in Georgia.
Michael Mifsud lines up for the national anthem
Malta fans
Pictures courtesy of Mark Muscat, Melita Sports http://www.melitasports.com:80/