Sliema Wanderers 0 Floriana 0
A late wonder save from goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo earned Floriana a point as the Wanderers failed to win for the third successive game.
The Floriana goalkeeper denied Cleavon Frendo with a brilliant one-handed save when he found himself face to face with the striker in an otherwise dour and uninspiring goalless draw.
Bartolo read the game well and made some impressive stops from Jorge Santos da Silva as the goalkeeper emerged the winner in what developed into a personal duel with the Brazilian.
Despite being unable to convert their territorial advantage into clear opportunities, Sliema were far superior in the opening period.
Floriana steadied the ship after the break and created a couple of half chances of their own and did improve after the introduction of Ivan Woods but the fact that it took until the 71st minute for Henry Bonello to make a serious save, tells it own story.
The Sliema midfielder, Jorge gave Floriana a signal of intent as goalkeeper Manwel Bartolo's point-blank reaction were test inside the first 15 minutes following a good move down the right.
The Brazilian sliced open the Greens defence, picking up the ball 30 metres out on the right before driving into the area.
After 20 minutes, Sliema defender Beppe Muscat drifted inside and ran towards goal, taking a defender with him, before laying the ball off to Jorge on the right. The Brazilian however would have been disappointed not to convert a seemingly simple chance.
On the half hour mark, Floriana hearts when Bartolo spilled Cleavon Frendo's 20 metre free-kick into the path of Mitev but the goalkeeper made amends to block the follow-up.
Ten minutes later, weaving his way into a shooting position, Jorge seemed certain to roll the ball into the bottom corner but he dragged his shot agonisingly wide.
This Brazilian's effort capped a string of spurned chances as Sliema laid siege on Floriana's goal.
Floriana's opening had been subdued as the Wanderers dominated possession but after the interval they finally demonstrated a measure of self-belief and threat. The Greens improved after the introduction of Ivan Woods just after the hour mark.
His ability to draft away from his markers offered Sliema a different challenge to contend with. In the 71st minute, the Malta International midfielder came close with a close-range effort after a neat piece of ball juggling and fierce shot, Woods was then denied by a superb reaction save from Henry Bonello.
The Floriana keeper had a busy afternoon and the superb intervention after 78 minutes of the former Birkirkara repelled Frendo.