A late penalty from Italian forward Mario Fontanella earned Floriana a precious 2-1 victory over Naxxar Lions which cancelled out their frustrations of this match and maintained them among the top spots in the championship.

On the brink of half-time, Christoph Nicht could do nothing when Ignacio Varela curled a delightful ball into the far corner to put the Greens ahead in an ideal period, as Floriana released the pressure of the first goal while Naxxar looked shocked.

After the change of ends, the Lions made their pressure count quarter from time when Adrian Cascaval hit a close-range drive to restore parity.

Floriana were offered a glorious opportunity to forge ahead when Vella floored in the penalty box five minutes from time.

Mario Fontanella took charge of the penalty but Nicht denied him as the game looked to remain deadlocked.

However, there was still time for late drama as the Greens earned another penalty late in the game after Grech was put down creating huge dispute in the dug-out with referee Alan Mario Sant also giving the marching orders to Floriana boss Tedesco.

Italian forward Fontanella took charge of the penalty again but this time he wrong footed Nicht with a sublime shot to the delight of Floriana fans.