In an astonishing second half climax, Msida St Joseph snatched a precious win that keeps their revival well on track. Yesterday they beat Floriana with the odd goal in five, all scored in an entertaining second half, after even falling behind, to remain unbeaten in their last three consecutive league games.

Floriana, who were expected to win this match and assure themselves of a place with the top six teams, thus failed to overcome Sliema Wanderers for third place.

It was largely Floriana who made the chances and played the more inventive football in the first half, probing for an early lead as Msida defended in numbers.

However, Msida always carved out the clearer chances, proving deadly on the break.

The teams produced their best in the second half as Msida took a 2-1 lead after falling behind early after the restart, only for Floriana to hit back and equalize. But as the match was heading for a draw, Priso Doding struck the fatal blow in the last ten minutes to leave Floriana licking their wounds.

As early as the first ten minutes, Floriana, bereft of the suspended striker Bolasie, won several corners and Darmanin twice went close to putting his side ahead. He was first thwarted by Msida keeper Bartolo, who rushed off his line to block at his feet, and then missed the target from an ideal position when served well by Micallef.

Gradually the Saints started to claw themselves into the game and proved menacing on the breaks. On one, after 18 minutes, Baldacchino, who started the match instead of Gilberto Dos Santos, went through on the left but Floriana’s keeper Agius did well to rush off his line and tip the ball into safety.

And just before the break, Msida fluffed the half’s best opportunity. Priso Doding started a resourceful run on the right, his fast pace took him past two opponents, but he chipped the ball slightly over the bar when faced with the onrushing keeper. And in added time, Dos Santos controlled Cachia’s pass on the edge of the area but shot wide.

Msida paid for these misses soon after the restart. Within one minute, Ryn Darmanin headed in Cassar’s cross to put Floriana in front.

That did little to dampen Msida’s spirits and on 55 minutes Tyrone Farrugia started the movement that lead to Msida’s equalizer, playing the ball wide to Baldacchino and then running in for the latter’s return cross to beat the keeper from close range.

Within the next three minutes, Msida managed to turn the match on its head. They forged ahead when Baldacchino sent a low ball across the face of the Floriana area which fell to the unmarked Adrian Farrugia on the right, and shooting straight at goal, the ball was deflected off the grounded defender Ciantar to put keeper Agius off balance.

But Floriana reacted boldly. Past the hour, keeper Bartolo had to make a difficult save off a back header by team mate Brincat as Cilia’s effort on the loose ball was cleared into a corner. From the ensuing flag kick by Mauro Brincat, Zoran Levniac headed in the Greens’ equaliser.

With equilibrium restored, the game went through a quiet patch until Msida struck again ten minutes from normal time. Adrian Farrugia crossed the ball for Priso Doding who foraged down the left, cut towards the middle and beat the Floriana keeper with a low drive from an acute angle.

Floriana, who could not withstand defeat, made an immediate reaction. Darmanin connected well to head Cilia’s cross from the right but keeper Bartolo turned into a corner with a top-rate save.

Floriana kept trying but their late efforts proved futile against a resolute Msida side who defended their lead with minimal difficulty till the very end.