Floriana could only manage a 2-2 draw against Balzan, losing two precious points in their fight with Hamrun Spartans for the title.

On the other hand, Balzan are in the eighth place with 20 points – just two points above the relegation red zone. With Sirens and Gudja’s fate almost already set, it will be an interesting battle between Gzira U , Balzan, Mosta, Naxxar L, Valletta and Santa Lucia for the remaining two places to complete the relegation quartet.

Balzan had the first attempt to goal in the 8th minute, when George Blackwood saw his shot finished wide.

Floriana responded in the 10th minute, with Kyrian Nwoko’s attempt finishing just over the bar.

In the 12th minute, Floriana opened the score as they were awarded a penalty when LUIS WILLIS ALVES FORTADO was floored by Andre’ Prates and three minutes later from the penalty spot the same player did not fail to finish the ball home.

In the 22nd minute, a grounder by Maksim Valadzko finished inches wide.

In the 31st minute, Balzan drew level when ex Floriana youngster JAN BUSUTTIL opened his account for Balzan when he surprised goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov with a fierce drive.

Two minutes from the break, Floriana were back in front when from a corner action, Owen Spiteri nodded down towards MATHEUS NOGUREIRA ALBUGUERQUE DE SOUZA who finished the ball into the net from from point-blank range.

In stoppage time Floriana were unlucky not to increase the score when Owen Spiteri set Kyran Nwoko who headed the ball, which hit the post but finally finished out.

On resumption, both sides had attempts missing the target. George Blackwood of Balzan tried his luck but his shot finished wide and on the other side Dunstan Vella’s attempt finished over the crossbar.

On the hour, Balzan goalkeeper Danilo Golovic blocked an effort by Kemar Reid.

In the 65 minute, Balzan drew level for a second time when, following a short corner taken by Olivier Rommens, substitute Oluwatobiloba Dimeji Awosanya’s shot was partially blocked by goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov and from the rebound TRISTON CARUANA fired home.

In the 70th minute, Floriana tried to bolster their attack with the introduction of ex-Balzan player Jake Grech, but they could not spark into life and went home with just a point.

In the remaining minutes, Floriana pushed forward and went close with an effort by Matheus Nogureira which finished inches wide and in the 42nd minute Danilo Golovic made a great save off a freekick by Luis Willis Alves Furtado.

FLORIANA: Georgi Kitanov, Oualid El Hasni, Kemar Reid, Matheus Nogureira Albuguerque de Souza, Dunstan Vella (Christos Rovas 84’), Owen Spiteri, Matias Nikolas Garcia, Kyrian Nwoko (Jake Grech 69’), Maksim Valadzko, Alexandros Kouro, Luis Willis Alves Furtado.

BALZAN: Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic (Dimeji Awosanya 62’) (Han Euigwon 88’)), Andre Prates, Samir Arab, Triston Caruana, Jan Busuttil, Ryohei Michibuchi (Aleksa Andrejic 85’), Nikola Zerjal, Nikola Braunovic, Oliver Rommens, Henry Blackwood.

Referee: Matthew Degabriele.

BOV Player of the game : Luis Willis Alves Furtado (Floriana)