Floriana just managed to avoid an embarrassing defeat to Melita as the Greens needed a late goal from Ryan Darmanin to salvage a 2-2 draw at the Hibs Stadium.

The Greens were off to a flier and after six minutes when Sacha Borg sent a low cross inside the area and Darmanin adjusted his body well to direct a dipping shot with an overhead kick that flew into the net.

However, that setback failed to derail the Amateurs who managed to draw level eight minutes later.

Ramon Sierra Camacho picked Jovan Vukanic who quickly chested down the ball into the path of Negrin. The Spanish forward tried to sidestep Floriana goalkeeper Tony Warner who could only divert the ball into the path of Julian Galea who shot the ball into an empty net.

Melita surged ahead a minute from the break when they took the lead, albeit in controversial circumstances. Sierra Camacho sent a long pass towards Armaro Negrin who looked to have used his arm to push the ball beyond his marker, Brooke Farrugia, before unleashing a powerful drive that gave no chance to Warner.

On the restart Floriana laid siege to the Melita goal but they had to wait until the 78th minute to draw level when Verma sent a long pass towards Clyde Borg who headed the ball into the path of Darmanin who anticipated his marker to beat Sapiano from close range.

In time added on Floriana protested heavily with the match officials for a penalty when Tyrone Farrugia's goalbound header looked to have been blocked by the arm of Gribbon but the referee waved play on.

Melita striker Jose Luis Armaro Negrin was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.