Birkirkara: D. Simon, L. Galea (M. Calascione), P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara, M. Galea, R. Briffa, K. Scicluna (R. Sammut), G. Mallia, E. Yanchev, A. Ciantar (J.P. Mifsud Triganza)

Floriana: S. Agius, M. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, R. Gango-Rtsa, J. Briffa (A. Eviparker), I. Ciantar, T. Cilia, C. Cassar, A. Mifsud (N. Baldacchino), M. Micallef (R. Oba), C. Caruana

Referee: A. Casha Asst. refs: J. Rapa, A. Camilleri 4th official: A. Zammit

Scorers: E. Barbara, T. Cilia

Yellow cards: E. Barbara, R. Briffa

Player of the match: William Camenzuli (Birkirkara)

TMI top three: 1. W. Camenzuli 2. M. Galea 3. R. Gango-Rtsa

In normal circumstances, a draw against Birkirkara would have been considered a good achievement for Floriana. Yesterday, however, this result proved futile. The Greens were in desperate need of a win to keep their aspirations of playing in the Championship Pool alive. Failing that, they are now destined to play in the Relegation Pool and must now concentrate on keeping their place in the top flight.

Although dominating for long periods, Birkirkara had to settle for a draw. This result assures them a pole start in the next phase when the points are halved but the Stripes yesterday lost some of the sharpness which saw them put 12 goals against their opponents in the previous two matches.

Both teams were at full strength but both struggled to break the deadlock in a low key first half, although there were half chances at both ends.

Floriana were the first out of the blocks and after a Ciantar incursion on the right was blocked by keeper Simon, Cilia went through the Birkirkara rearguard with alarming ease but his low effort hit the upright.

By the quarter hour Birkirkara started to find rhythm of sorts. The Floriana keeper Agius had to punch a Michael Galea free-kick into a corner and on the half hour, the Birkirkara striker had his first timer, on Mallia's cross from the byeline, blocked by the defenders.

On 35 minutes, the Stripes were also unlucky when a Camenzuli scorcher from some 25 metres rebounded off the foot of the post.

Floriana drafted in Eviparker and Oba at the start of the second half while Birkirkara substituted Lino Galea with Calascione.

After only five minutes, the injured Adrian Mifsud was stretchered off and Floriana were forced to effect their third substitution.

The quality of football in the second half did not improve much but at least both sides seemed to come out more fried up.

Oba's header on a Ciantar free-kick was saved by Simon and on the other end Camenzuli's arrow-like shot forced keeper Agius to a spectacular acrobatic save into a corner.

The goal was in the air though. Towards the hour, Briffa lobbed the ball towards Etienne Barbara on the left and the in-form Birkirkara forward broke the deadlock with a low strike.

That goal had Floriana back pedalling as Birkirkara looked more likely to take a firm grip on the game. Briffa missed the target on a Michael Galea inviting pass.

Floriana struggled to put a decent challenge and tame efforts by Baldacchino and Christian Caruana were easy prey for Simon.

Birkirkara continued to look menacing as Mallia put Barbara through but the solid Gango-Rtsa halted his progress with a timely intervention.

With three minutes remaining and Birkirkara heading for a win, Floriana notched an equaliser as Trevor Cilia netted Eviparker's cross from close range.

But the point served no purpose for the Greens' ambition to avoid the Relegation Pool.