Ten-man Floriana reached the quarterfinals of the competition yesterday after beating a spirited Mosta side by a solitary goal scored by Dragomir Draganov in the second half of extra time.

And it had to be a missed penalty by Mosta’s Kane Farrugia three minutes from the end of extra time that saw the Premier League outfit advancing into the Last Eight.

The Greens were made to sweat a lot by first division Mosta who never appeared inferior and offered decent opposition, confirming why they are challenging for promotion this season.

In the first half Floriana started like a house on fire giving the impression that they would outplay their first division opponents.

But they failed to score and Mosta grew in stature as time passed by.

The Greens dictated play for most of the time but Mosta frustrated them with a well organised defence.

In the second half, Floriana again saw more of the ball, but it was Mosta who appeared much more menacing in their fewer counter-attacks.

The Greens, despite playing with 10 men after having Nwoke sent off midway through the second half, still found a little more energy to score the winner in the second half of extra time, avoiding a penalty shootout after Saidi saved Farrugia’s late penalty.

Floriana opened strongly on attack and went close twice in the opening five minutes. First a Daniel Nwoke shot went just wide. Moments later, it was goalie Debono who turned to corner a flick by Christian Caruana.

Floriana again threatened on 14 minutes when a Tyrone Farrugia effort went just over.

On the 22nd minute, off a Micallef cross, Farrugia again went close with a header that just missed the post.

Mosta’s first effort arrived on 25 minutes when a Deguara ‘rovesciata’ was easily saved by Saidi.

Floriana went closest to scoring on the 31st minute when Nwoke was through in the area, but his shot was cleared off the line by Nikola Bogdanovic.

Floriana insisted and on 39 minutes it was Doffo who tested Debono. Soon after a Draganov header was blocked near the goal line.

At the other end, Saidi had to dive to turn to corner a Deguara dangerous cross.

Mosta should have taken the lead on 51 minutes when Firas first saw his low shot blocked by Saidi then lifted the rebound well over the bar from an ideal position.

At the other end, soon afterwards, it was goalie Debono who avoided a certain goal as he blocked a Josef Borg incursion after the latter was beautifully set by Caruana.

Floriana were reduced to 10 men on the 59th minute when Nwoke was foolish enough to push Mosta’s Camenzuli to the ground. Referee Marco Borg showed no hesitation in showing Nwoke the red card.

Mosta’s Ryan Deguara had a freekick goving over the bar in the 64th minute and six minutes later, Saidi had to turn to corner a Camenzuli freekick.

In a Mosta counter-attack in the 79th minute, substitute Gilbert Martin just missed the target. And soon after their appeals for a penalty went unheeded by referee Borg after Martin fell to the ground in a tackle with Micallef.

In added time, Martin missed a sitter for Mosta lifting his effort well over the bar from 10 metres.

With no team managing to find the net, the match went into extra time.

It was a poor effort from both sides in the first half, but there was improvement in the second half. Lee Grima had a fine shot from 20 metres which just missed the Floriana post.

Soon after Floriana scored what proved to be the winner. From a Caruana cross, it was Draganov who found the net from close in.

Three minutes from the end, Mosta were awarded a penalty when Saidi floored Gilbert Martin in the area. But Kane Farrugia’s effort was well saved by Lofti Saidi who thus ended up as Floriana’s hero.

Floriana: L. Saidi, B. Said, M. Micallef, D. Pisani, T. Farrugia, P. Doffo, C. Caruana, J. Borg (T. Paris), S. Borg (MG Fernandes, O. Bugeja), D. Draganov, D. Nwoke.

Mosta FC: J. Debono, A. Firas (S. Shead), A. Borg, K. Farrugia, V. Osobu, L. Grima, A. Cini, N. Bogdanovic, B. Agius, R. Deguara (G. Martin), W. Camenzuli.

Referee: M. Borg.

Asst refs: M. Debono, I. Spiteri., 4th official: P. Caruana.

Scorer: D. Draganov 110 mins

Yellow cards: R. Deguara, K. Farrugia, A. Cini, G. Martin, A. Firas, B. Agius.

Red cards: D. Nwoke.