Pieta Hotspurs were only seven minutes away from securing their place in the Premier League, when leading by a Deanov early second half goal. But Floriana's rally earned them a deserved equaliser which keeps them on top of the Relegation Pool, one point above Pieta and two above their next opponents Mosta.

After a goalless first half, during which the sides looked evenly balanced but lacked penetration, the match came to life in an exciting and intriguing second 45 minutes.

The Hotspurs were the first to threaten with a Gera header on Deanov's free-kick and a Kondev grounder. Floriana regrouped themselves and started to find some rhythm of their own.

Mifsud narrowly missed the target with his low drive when put clear by Cassar. When towards the half hour, Christian Cassar deflected his brother Mario's shot past keeper Hogg, the Floriana goal was disallowed for offside, as the Greens' offensive, flowing play caused some anxious moments to the Pieta rearguard although keeper Hogg was hardly ever severely tested.

The second half started in lively fashion as Deanov's free-kick sailed over and a Christian Caruana effort was saved by Hogg. On 57 minutes, Floriana conceded a soft goal, courtesy of some sloppy goalkeeping by Agius, who stretched himself on the byeline to avoid a corner, but palmed the ball in Martin Deanov's path when he stole unnoticed inside the area and steered the ball expertly over the line.

That goal brought frustration to Floriana as they looked likely to lose their composure. Gango Rtsa blocked Camilleri's goal-bound effort until Eviparker's and Oba's inclusion restored some equilibrium in the Floriana side.

They went forward incessantly probing for an equaliser as Cilia's effort was blocked and Cassar hit over.

With seven minutes remaining, Floriana were awarded a free-kick outside the area on the right. Cassar played the ball low to Cilia, whose low drive was deflected by a hoard of legs, with Riad Gango-Rtsa putting the final touch to it, netting an equaliser. In skirmishes that followed, after Hogg tried to stop Floriana players from dispossessing him of the ball, Christian Cassar was given his marching orders after picking the second caution of the match.

The goal galvanised Floriana, who surged forward for a winner.

In the final exciting minutes, Pieta nearly gave them another shock though, when Deanov ran through against Gango Rtsa, released the ball to the unmarked Camilleri who failed to steer the ball into a gaping goal. Pieta may live to rue that golden opportunity!

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Floriana: S. Agius, R. Gango Rtsa, M. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, J. Briffa (A. Eviparker), C. Cassar, M. Micallef (R. Darmanin), T. Cilia, A. Mifsud, K. Formosa (R. Oba), C. Caruana

Pieta H: A. Hogg, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, S. Ciscaldi, C. Calleja (C. Okoh), C. Sammut, A. Spiteri, S. Kondev (A. Decesare), D. Gera, F. Marius, R. Camilleri

Referee: A. Zammit Asst refs: I. Spiteri, J. Rapa 4th official: A. M. Sant

Scorers: M. Deanov, R. Gango Rtsa

Yellow cards: C. Calleja, J. Briffa, T. Cilia, C. Cassar, C. Sammut

Red card: C. Cassar

Player of the match: Christian Caruana (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. B. Sciberras 2. C. Caruana 3. M. Micallef