Birkirkara moved back to third place as they overcame a serious obstacle presented by Floriana yesterday and therefore maintained their title aspirations.

Birkirkara now have 25 points, seven adrift of leaders Valletta and four behind Sliema. Floriana remained in fifth place on 19 points.

It was a hard-won victory which only matured in the final 20 minutes as until then, Floriana were giving more or less as much as they received, especially in the second half, which was more balanced than the first.

The two teams included their new arrivals – Etienne Barbara for Birkirkara and Mauro Brincat for Floriana. Both also had some players missing. The Stripes were still missing Briffa, Zahra and Doda, though the latter started the match on the bench.

Floriana also had Gango Rtsa missing, sitting it out on the bench.

Birkirkara appeared to be a superior outfit especially in midfield where the return of George Mallia from suspension had a positive effect. But despite their superiority, the Stripes only boasted one goal at the interval and that came from defender William Camenzuli.

Etienne Barbara was well under the control of Ian Azzopardi and was rarely effective while Chucks Nwoko seemed to have improved over recent performances. Working hard up front was Michael Galea who was a thorn in the Floriana defence.

The Greens played cautiously all the way. They tried to operate on the break, but found stiff opposition in the form of a splendid Camenzuli, Dronca and Monye. Most of their attacks came to a halt when they reached their opponents’penalty area as newcomer Mauro Brincat also had a quiet start in his debut with the Greens.

On 11 minutes, Floriana had a good Nicolo Baldacchino effort being saved by Haber, while at the other end, soon after, a Michael Galea low effort was saved on deck by Reuben Gauci.

On 16 minutes, it was Gauci who saved Floriana’s fort with a spectacular save off a William Camenzuli humdinger from 20 metres.

Birkirkara opened the scoring on 23 minutes and it was William Camenzuli who beat Gauci with a neat header off an Adrian Ciantar cornerkick. to palm the ball away. At the other end, from a Ciantar cross, Michael Galea’s header glanced over

Soon after, on 26 minutes, from another Ciantar corner, it was Michael Galea who headed just wide across goal.

On 29 minutes, Da Silva brought the best out of Haber with a long distance lob, but the goalie just managed the crossbar.

On the 44th minute, Mallia set Michael Galea but Gauci rushed out of his charge to clear the ball to safety.

At the start of the second half, after a slip by Wellman, Barbara squared the ball for George Mallia to hit a low shot which was saved by Gauci.

Floriana equalised on 61 minutes. Trevor Cilia received a long ball from the left and advanced unhindered to hit a low shot past a susprised Haber.

Etienne Barbara finally had his first effort at goal saved by Gauci on 68 minutes. And in a swift counter-attack, after referee Attard did not whistle for a freekick, substitute Haruna Doda received from Michael Galea and advanced unhindered only to see the young Gauci blocking his shot to corner.

Birkirkara were back in pole position on 76 minutes. After a Mallia corner, the ball was cleared out to Camenzuli who blasted the ball home from the edge of the area giving Gauci no chance.

On 82 minutes, it was Haber who saved a Trevor Cilia grounder, but at the other end, after a Doda effort was partially saved by Gauci, Da Silva floored Mallia and referee Attard showed no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. Lucian Dronca made no mistake from the spot-kick.

In added injury time, Floriana almost narrowed the gap but Da Silva was unlucky to see his effort hit the upright.