Hibernians and Floriana shared the spoils with a one-all draw in a keenly contested and balanced match yesterday.

Hibernians’ lead has now been trimmed to only two points over Valletta (who have a game in hand) as Floriana consolidate fourth place in the standings.

A much revamped Floriana managed to strangle many of Hibernians’ attacking options and as the match gathered momentum in the second half, Ryan Darmanin’s spectacular goal cancelled out Terence Scerri’s opener to halt the leaders’ runaway.

In the absence of Jonathan Caruana, Hibernians made one tactical change, dropping Galabov at the back with Ben Camilleri starting in midfield.

After a whole week of speculation about his registration, Brazilian Paolo Rogerio Da Silva was included in Floriana’s starting line-up, although he never made an impact, with Doffo and Anonam returning after suspension. Marlon Briffa started on the bench and only went in as a second half substitute, with new German goalkeeper Steffen Suessner also named among the substitutes.

Both teams went into this match following wins. Hibernians had demolished Marsaxlokk 4-1 while Floriana left it late to beat Qormi 3-1 in their previous outings.

With Doffo, Anonam and Caruana in midfield, denying the likes of Failla, Mbongo, Callejas and Cohen a moment’s breathing space, the match always looked likely to provide few openings.

Goalscoring chances remained at a premium in an evenly balanced and scrappy first half with Hibernians mostly menacing with Callejas’ free kicks.

Both teams were denied by the woodwork. On Herrera’s cross, Scerri’s uncoordinated header rebounded off the post and on the stroke of halftime, Caruana’s header also clipped the bar on Camoin’s corner.

Luckily play improved after the restart with both sides going out for goal. Scerri’s progression on Cohen’s pass was halted by keeper Zammit and on the other end Darmanin lobbed the ball over on Doffo’s inviting cross. Failla’s shot sailed over before Floriana put in Marlon Briffa for Borg.

The deadlock was broken on 68 minutes. Terence Scerri ran inside the Floriana area to meet Herrera’s low cross from the left and beat keeper Zammit some clinical finish.

Floriana took less than two minutes to restore equilibrium. After good work by Caruana, Ryan Darmanin’s spectacular inswinger from 25 metres out left keeper Muscat rooted to his line.

Play became more physical as neither side wanted to lose. Hibernians pressed hard for a winner but Floriana failed to buckle under pressure. Pulis persisted inside the Floriana area but skied his final shot. Zammit also denied Galabov with a smart save.

Three minutes from time, Floriana’s Doffo was sent off for a second bookable offence and in the dying minutes Hibernians coach Mark Miller was also expelled from the bench for his remarks.

In the final analysis, a draw was a fair result.

* * *

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, E. Herrera, C. Failla (L. Grech), B. Camilleri (J. Pearson), R. Galabov, C. Callejas, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, A. Mbongo

Floriana: G. Zammit, S. Eboh, C. Camoin, S. Bonnici, J. Borg (M. Briffa), O. Anonam, O. Bugeja, P. Da Silva (D. Zarb), P. Doffo, R. Darmanin, C. Caruana

Referee: A. Zammit asst.refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri 4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: T. Scerri, R. Darmanin

Yellow cards: C. Failla, C. Caruana, J. Borg, P. Doffo, S. Bonnici, A. Xuereb

Red card: P. Doffo

Player of the match: Sunday Eboh (Floriana)

TMI top three: 1. S. Eboh 2. E. Herrera 3. C. Caruana