Floriana: L. Saidi, I. Sokolov, P. Doffo, M. Micallef (C. Borg), M. Mecerod, I. Woods, D. Pisani, J. Borg (C. Cassar), R. Darmanin (C. Caruana), S. Borg, T. Farrugia

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, C. Brincat, M. Deanov (D. Kokavessis), M. Licari (A. Spiteri), A. Effiong, R. Galabov, T. Templeman, E. Yanchev, R. Guerreiro (J. Alcorse)

Referee: A.M. Sant Asst refs: K. Borg, T. Debono 4th official: F. Zammit

Scorers: J. Alcorse (pen)

Yellow cards: A. Effiong, P. Doffo, C. Carauna, J. Alcorse

Red card: P. Pullicino

Player of the match: Rumen Galabov (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. C. Brincat 2. M. Mecerod 3. R. Galabov

Marsaxlokk scored their first league goal after 263 minutes of Premier League football. A late penalty goal by substitute Julio Alcorse was enough to give them a lacklustre win – their first of the season – against a highly disappointing Floriana and put some gloss to a scrappy match.

After their solid performance and good win against Birkirkara, much more was expected from Raykov’s boys. Yesterday they were an unrecognisable side, devoid of commitment and urgency, despite their early promise.

Marsaxlokk were hardly any better in terms of quality, but looked more organised and determined and eventually won the match.

Floriana were deprived of the services of Dzhorov after his controversial suspension, while the not fully-fit Christian Caruana started on the bench. Doffo was given a start.

The Greens fielded an offensive formation with Ryan Darmanin and Michael Mecerod the tandem in attack, spurred by Woods and Micallef behind them.

Despite their early flurry, they found it hard to perforate Marsaxlokk’s watertight defence, yet to concede a goal in three matches. Their centre backs Clive Brincat and Emil Yanchev hardly put a foot wrong throughout the match.

A Mecerod shot from the edge of the area ended inches wide. Woods had to be treated for a cut over his eye in a tussle for the ball with Yanchev and continued the match with a bandaged head.

When gradually Marsaxlokk settled in the game towards the half hour, they created a couple of chances. Effiong, who was preferred to Alcorse in Marsaxlokk’s starting line-up, headed Guerreiro’s cross wide. Then, Deanov’s cross shot from the right was tipped by keeper Said over the bar. From the resultant corner, Mamo’s header was blocked by Micallef and the chance went begging.

The second half was equally littered with frigidity from both sides as neither of them tried to risk anything and looked set to settle for a draw. Manolito Micallef and Ryan Darmanin were withdrawn early in the second half and Marsaxlokk had Peter Pullicino sent off after passing some remarks from the substitutes’ bench on 52 minutes.

The Southseasiders put in Kokavessis and later Alcorse but looked nowhere capable of breaking the deadlock.

In fact Floriana carved out a good opportunity on 63 minutes. Woods played the ball to Mecerod, who advanced but his shot was repelled by keeper Gauci and Micallef lofted the loose ball.

The match was going nowhere until Marsaxlokk won a penalty, seven minutes from time, when Sascha Borg felled Kokavessis inside the area. Other substitute Julio Alcorse tucked it away with a rising shot.

Floriana’s reaction was flaccid, with Caruana shooting the loose ball off target after keeper Gauci had rushed off his line to block any potential danger from Mecerod.

But that was too little too late for Floriana to avoid a disappointing defeat.