Mosta needed two goals in stoppage time to grab a dramatic 2-2 draw against Floriana that lifted them just one point clear of third bottom Tarxien Rainbows.

Floriana enjoyed a dream start to the match as in the first minute Igor Coronado picked up possession on the edge of the area and hit a rasping drive that gave no chance to Mosta goalkeeper Omar Borg.

Mosta tried to hit back and and on eight minutes Babangida burst into the area but the Nigerian was denied by the onrushing Calleja Cremona.

On 15 minutes, the Blues threatened again when Babangida used his body strength to move past his marker but his low strike was deviated wide by Dawood with Calleja Cremona beaten.

Six minutes from the break, Ekani released Kurt Magro on the edge of the area but his deflected header was well blocked by Calleja Cremona.

That turned out to be Magro’s last contribution as two minutes later he was replaced by Kyle Frendo. The former Valletta midfielder was clearly unhappy at his withdrawal and was seen passing some comments to a member of the Mosta bench on his way to the dressing room.

Mosta continued to hold the initiative on the restart and on 52 minutes Falzon’s delivery was met by Babangida on the edge of the area and his fierce volley looked destined to hit the back of the net but Douglas Cobo was well placed to clear off the line.

Calleja Cremona came to Floriana’s rescue on 57 minutes when effected a fine one-handed save on Dawood’s header.

On 64 minutes, Mosta had another excellent chance seven minutes later when Falzon picked the unmarked Babangida inside the area but the Nigerian incredibly fired wide with only Calleja Cremona to beat.

Floriana should have killed off their opponents five minutes from time when in a swift raid Piciollo put Plut clear but the Slovenian fired over with only Borg to beat.

Mosta failed to heed the alarm bells as on 88 minutes Floriana wrapped up the points.

In another swift break, Cobo’s throughball put Piciollo clear and the Italian striker showed great composure to drill the ball past Borg.

Mosta looked dead and buried but Adrian Borg handed them a lifeline in the first minute of stoppage time when he bundled the ball home from Ekani’s cross.

The Blues threw everyone forward and a minute later the unexpected materialised when Udo Fortune’s shot was deviated over Calleja Cremona with Borg on hand to tap the ball home to the delight of the Mosta fans.