Floriana: S. Agius, J. Schembri Craig (M. Caruana), I. Azzopardi, R. Gango-Rtsa, I. Ciantar (J. Brincat), M. Micallef, A. Mifsud, K. Formosa, T. Cilia, A. Eviparker, N. Baldacchino (C. Caruana)

Msida SJ: O. Borg, D. Theuma, J. Mifsud, S. Grima, C. Micallef, T. Farrugia, R. Bajada (M. Valenzia), P. Fenech, L. Micallef (D. Gatt), I. Babtunde, D. Nwoke

Referee: P. Caruana. Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, A. Arciola 4th official: J. Attard

Yellow cards: R. Gango-Rtsa, J. Schembri Craig, D. Theuma, I. Babatunde

Player of the match: S. Agius (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. P. Fenech 2. I. Azzopardi 3. S. Agius

Buoyed by their recent good form which kept them unbeaten in their last three matches, an understrength Floriana, bereft of the suspended Fabri and the injured Briffa and Cassar, had to settle for a goalless draw against Msida.

The latter, also in need of points to keep them safely rolling into the Championship Pool, were eager to improve upon their previous two consecutive defeats.

The Saints were also without Carabott, after being released by the club, as well as their midfield workhorse and captain, Dino Cachia. They enjoyed most of the initiative but failed to convert their chances into goals, courtesy of some stout defending by Floriana, who had Gango-Rtsa back after suspension, and good goalkeeping by Simon Agius.

Yet, Msida’a strikers were wasteful yesterday, with both Babatunde and Nwoke failing to find the target. To the latter fell the best chances, one in each half, but he was twice foiled by the Floriana keeper in crucial moments.

Floriana, on their part, rarely looked threatening in attack and except for some rare moments, Msida’s keeper Borg, remained mostly inoperative. Whenever they created openings, Eviparker failed to make the best of them.

Injury to Craig Schembri forced Floriana to make an early substitution before the match was half an hour old. Minutes later, coach Artz effected another tactical change, pulling out Baldacchino and giving Adrian Mifsud a more advanced role alongside Eviparker. Their third substitution shortly after half-time was also a forced one, due to Ian Ciantar’s injury.

The game produced a lot of open play, with some scoring opportunities, but very little in the way of real entertainment.

It took nearly 30 minutes before either side managed a shot on target. Babatunde sent the ball across the face of the Floriana goal from the left. It fell to Nwoke who hit first time from close range only to be denied by Agius’ providential save.

After a Farrugia headed effort was saved by the Floriana keeper, Fenech’s long range shot narrowly missed the target.

Msida increased their pressure in the late stages of the half. Babatunde nearly capitalised on a Christian Caruana erratic clearance but keeper Agius turned his fierce shot into a corner. Ciantar headed to safety as Nwoke and Farrugia raced in for Bajada’s insidious cross and a Farrugia header was saved on the line by Formosa before half-time.

With Floriana retreating further in the second half, Msida looked less dangerous. As they moved forward they left dangerous gaps at the back.

Past the hour, Eviparker pounced on Cilia’s through ball on the right, beat Micallef but shot wide from a narrow angle.

On the other end Nwoke was through inside the Floriana area and tried to lob the ball over the onrushing Agius, but the Floriana keeper refused to be beaten and stretched himself to preserve a clean sheet.

With five minutes remaining, Floriana spurned the last chance. Eviparker went past Micallef but then shot wastefully wide with only the keeper to beat.

At the end, the stalemate prevailed.