Gzira United kept marching on and are now joint second with Birkirkara after a solitary goal scored by Jefferson de Assis proved to be the winning goal.

The Maroons deserved the maximum points since they were the better team all throughout. As regards their opponents they left much to be desired and practically were unproductive for the whole match. This defeat meant that the Greens stay in the wrong side of the table with eight points.

On 13 minutes Floriana went near when off an Adam Magri Overend cross from the left flank a volley by Jan Busuttil ended just wide.

Two minutes later Gzira responded when after Maxwell Maia was brought down in the area  referee Barbara pointed to the penalty spot but Maia's shot was turned onto a corner.

Midway through the first half Floriana had a Kemar Reid shot turned onto a corner by Zarkov.

Three minutes later it was Gzira once again but Jefferson de Assis missed from close range.

On the half hour Gzira United scored what proved to be the match winning goal. Jefferson de Assis received a pass from the left side of the pitch and his low drive found the net.

The first minutes of the second half were rather dull with the majority of play restricted to the midfield sector. In fact it was only on 76 minutes that the Greens went near tried to create something but Nwoko's shot ended wide.

And eight minutes from the end of the match a conclusion by substitute Lorenzo de Grazia failed to find the desired place.

In added time Gzira were reduced to ten man when Clive Gauci was given the marching orders. This was the fourth consecutive win for Darren Abdilla's boys who are one of the on form teams in the Premier League.

Photo Domenic Aquilina