Valletta: M. Montfort, B. Nisevic, M. Grima, K. Cassar, R. Forace, A. Debono (D. Zarb), K. Fenech, M. Galea (K. Magro), G. Agius, J. Ani (C. Camilleri), I. Zammit

Floriana: S. Agius, M. Caruana, K. Fabri (J. Brincat), R. Gango-Rtsa, K. Formosa (M. Gauci), A. Da Silva, C. Cassar, M. Micallef, A. Eviparker, M. Brincat (N. Baldacchino), T. Cilia

Referee: C. Lautier. Asst refs: I. Spiteri, J. Camilleri. 4th official: J. Caruana.

Scorers: C. Cassar, I. Zammit

Yellow cards: K. Fenech, A. Debono, K. Fabri, M. Brincat, C. Cassar

Player of the match - C. Cassar (Floriana)

TMI best three - 1. C. Cassar, 2. M. Montfort, 3. G. Agius

Although hardly suiting any one, the drawn derby between old rivals Valletta and Floriana was a fair result as both teams tried to make amends for their defeats in the previous outings.

Both sides were fairly evenly matched, with Floriana perhaps slightly the more dangerous in the first period. They made the more assertive start, helped by an early lead, as Valletta had to defend with customary diligence to keep them out.

Slick on the breaks and with Cassar striding forward with menace, the Greens created one or two useful openings but the woodwork and good goalkeeping by Montfort, deputising for Sullivan, denied them further goals in the first 45 minutes.

Valletta were not without a threat of their own either and the chances they created in the second half made their late first half equalizer the more legitimate in the face of the end result. Floriana’s keeper Agius was also rendered a busy person as Valletta dominated much of the second half.

Floriana were hampered by injuries to Ciantar and Azzopardi as well as the suspended Briffa. Their make-shift defence included Caruana and Formosa from the start. Eviparker was also included in the initial line-up as Darmanin and Baldacchino started on the bench.

Valletta also had their share of selection problems, as their suspended coach Aquilina was absent from the bench and the still injured Penchev and Bondin were both missing. The Citizens had Ian Zammit returning in attack though and Pace was included among the substitutes.

The match was hardly two minutes old when Floriana broke the deadlock, courtesy of a well taken Christian Cassar direct free-kick which beat Montfort.

That boosted their confidence as Eviparker’s shot on the turn narrowly missed the target.

Gradually Valletta started to roll themselves into the match. Floriana’s keeper Agius rushed out to palm out Ani’s effort single-handed and Caruana cleared the loose ball before Ani could connect again. An Agius ambitious drive from a long distance went off the mark.

That seemed to suggest Valletta had ridden the tide but Floriana hit back dangerously. Eviparker beat Cassar’s challenge on the left. Keeper Montfort repelled his shot.

Midway through the half, the woodwork came to Valletta’s rescue as Cassar’s weighted free-kick from some 25 metres out thumped against the bar with Montfort beaten.

Valletta again took the bit between their teeth in the late stages of the first half. Grima’s firm header, on an Agius inviting free-kick, was somehow turned into a corner by the outstretched Floriana keeper and the post.

And three minutes from the break, Valletta drew level. Agius was the provider with a perfect cross that put Ian Zammit clear and the Valletta striker easily put his low drive past a helpless Agius.

There were half chance by both sides in the second period as Valletta put in Magro for Galea. A low cross-shot by Ani from the byeline ws footed out by keeper Agius and on the other end Eviparker’s long ball forward beat the Valletta defence, Cassar raced in unhindered, only to be foiled by Montfort’s timely intervention.

On 56 minutes, Montfort again rushed out of his line to smother the danger before Eviparker could conclude.

Valletta came up with more threats of their own. On 74 minutes substitute Zarb forced Agius into an acrobatic save, connecting first time on Camilleri’s deep cross from the left.

Thus the stalemate prevailed.