Floriana scored two late goals to beat ten-man Gzira and move to third place in the standings. It was a pulsating match with the Maroons taking an early lead and with Floriana missing a golden opportunity minutes later when Keqi failed to score from the penalty spot.

Gzira were the better team in the first half keeping their opponents at bay and easily administering their early lead. With Mendoza towering in midfield the Maroons moved the ball around with Floriana unsettled and unable to properly use the flanks with Ryan Camenzuli blotted out.

But the Greens with the splendid Zachary Cassar at the back kept in the game with Gzira unable to further increase their lead. On the resumption coach Atzori included Jan Busuttil and the Floriana starlet immediately made an impact on the game.

 On 55 minutes Gzira were reduced to ten men when Tabone received a second booking and this was the beginning of the end for the Maroons who were pushed inside their own area, and after several attempts the Greens found the goals that mattered, the goals that gave them a precious victory.

After four minutes Gzira took the lead when Mendoza passed towards Messias who powered his way inside the area to beat Kitanov with a low drive. Three minutes later a Mendoza blunder in defence led to Tabone tripping Keqi, but the same Keqi failed to beat Haber from the penalty spot.

Four minutes into the second half Jan Busuttil immediately made his presence felt beating the offside trap but his shot hit the side netting. On 55 minutes Tabone received a second booking and Camenzuli almost immediately took advantage but his first timer just missed the target.

Gzira were under constant pressure now and Bohrer came to the rescue clearing off the goal line an Arias header. On 66 minutes an El Hasni shot from a corner action slammed against the upright. On 78 minutes Floriana finally drew level when Arias did all the spade work before passing towards Ciolacu who drilled past Haber.

Floriana pushed for more and they obtained the winner on 88 minutes when Ryan Camenzuli fired home from the edge of the area to the delight of the Floriana supporters.

Photo Domenic Aquilina