Valletta coach Paul Zammit is backing his players to bounce back from their derby setback and keep their title challenge on track.

Unbeaten in their previous 18 league games, Valletta would have moved closer to winning the title had they overcome Floriana but a 2-0 defeat, coupled with victories for Hibs and Balzan, has left them looking an-xiously over their shoulders.

“We can’t discard all the positives we had since the start of the season,” Zammit said.

“We can’t allow our season to crumble. It’s up to us to show that we have a strong personality to surpass this difficult moment.”

Saturday’s game was one to forget for Valletta. Their tepid performance failed to justify their status as long-time Premier League leaders as Zammit’s men were eclipsed by their rivals in all departments.

While Zammit acknowledged that Floriana were worthy winners, he bemoaned his team’s ill-luck after Jhonnattann’s free-kick flashed against the post and off keeper Matthew Grech’s back in the second half.

“Although we were a bit careless in our finishing, we were also unlucky when Jhonnattann’s free-kick came off the post as we were pressing hard for an equaliser,” Zammit said.

“We made a slow start to the game and committed certain mistakes in those early stages that ultimately proved costly.

“The dismissal of Romeu Romao was a blow as it disrupted our gameplan.”

The Valletta players, who were applauded by a group of fans as they walked towards the bus after the game, can’t dwell long on their derby upset as they meet Birkirkara in a potentially make-or-break encounter on Sunday.

“I have always stressed that we are taking it game by game and nothing has changed,” Zammit reflected.

“In all these months, I have never spoken about our advantage at the top. We now have to think about our next game.”