Floriana 3
Senglea Athletic 2

Floriana came back from the death to clinch a quarter-final berth thanks to a Christian Caruana goal on 116 minutes after a nail-biting tie that dragged into extra-time.

Senglea Athletic were about to start celebrating their second major scalp of this season's FA Trophy as they were leading 2-1 against nine-man Floriana with a handful of seconds to play.

But, when Yala Bolasie smacked a low shot into the corner of George Attard's goal, the Floriana bench erupted in joy as it meant extra-time and a lifeline to the Greens who started clear favourites.

Senglea, who had disposed of Premier League side Msida in the first round, were looking to provide more upsets in the competition and their cautious approach, coupled with the non-stop running and slick ball control of Anthony Ewurun, came a whisker away from achieving their goal.

Floriana had Darko Krsteski sent off on the stroke of half-time. But, despite the setback, the Greens rallied and equalised only to be dealt another blow when goalkeeper Simon Agius was also red carded inside the last ten minutes. Floriana immediately conceded a second goal and with yet another early exit looming, Bolasie came to his side's rescue.

As early as the second minute, a Manolito Micallef pass paved the way for Cassar to head towards goal but his effort sailed over the bar.

Senglea may have taken nearly half an hour to create a decent shot at goal but their first attempt almost toppled their opponents as Azzopardi's shot was somehow repelled by Agius.

This was the prelude to what was to follow as on 40 minutes Senglea broke the deadlock. Tanti has to be credited for his measured pass towards Ewurun who hit home with a brilliant volley into the corner of the net.

Shocked by this unexpected turn of events, the Greens rallied to restore parity and within two minutes Cassar came agonisingly close as he tested Attard with a stinging shot which the Senglea netminder parried before the ball was cleared to safety.

Floriana's stride soon turned upside down however as Krsteski was sent off for a second booking following a late tackle on Ewurun a minute before the break.

The match lost most of its interest after the change of ends with play limited to midfield. Senglea opted to defend their slender lead against opponents with a player less.

Their approach backfired though as midway through the second half Ryan Darmanin sent a cross towards Caruana who beat Attard with a well-taken shot from the edge of the box.

The Division One outfit clearly lost their grip on the proceedings as Floriana started to look the more dangerous side at this stage.

Inside the last quarter, Brincat delivered a corner to the far post towards Micallef who soared high into the air and head goalwards but Attard palmed the effort into a corner.

More drama was in the offing inside the last ten minutes as referee Paul Caruana sent off Floriana's no.1 Agius for handling the ball outside his box.

The referee deemed that Agius's action was to be sanctioned by the ultimate punishment. Agius left the pitch and substitute Jurgen Micallef took his place in goal.

Micallef's first task was to pick the ball from the back of his net as Tanti's brilliant execution from the free-kick gave him no chance.

With nine players on the pitch, Floriana threw caution to the wind and Cassar's calibrated free-kick on 83 minutes found Attard on the right spot to dive and parry the effort.

Then with stoppage time almost over, Senglea had to endure the anguish of seeing their opponents clinching a last-gasp equaliser when Bolasie cashed in on some jittery defending and poked a firm grounder into the net.

Eight minutes into the first period of extra-time, Floriana won a free-kick outside the Senglea box. Brincat looped a ball over the defensive wall and almost surprised Attard but Senglea lived to fight on.

A minute later, Senglea lost Mifsud following a second bookable offence and Floriana's assistant coach Milos Basic was also ordered out of the pitch for dissent.

In the second quarter of extra-time, both teams looked too tired to venture forward even though Senglea skipper Aquilina came close with a header that flashed just wide.

Then, with four minutes to go, Floriana won another free-kick on the edge of the box. Cassar curled the ball home past Attard's clutches and the Greens were home and dry after being pushed to the limit by a gallant Senglea team that experienced the most bitter form of heart-break such cup ties can provide.

Floriana: S. Agius, M. Micallef, Z. Levnaic, D. Krsteski, C. Ciantar ('104 J. Briffa), T. Cilia (D. Pisani), C. Cassar, M. Brincat, Y. Bolasie, C. Caruana ('81 J. Micallef), R. Darmanin.

Senglea: G. Attard, A. Ewurun, M. Tanti, D. Grech ('73 C. Caruana), D. Cosaitis, C. Cuschieri, D. Okonkwo, K. Mifsud, E. Azzopardi, S. Aquilina, G. Bonello ('113 J. Farrugia).

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Scorers: Ewurun 40, Caruana 67, Tanti 82, Bolasie 90, Caruana 116.

Yellow cards: Azzopardi, Levnaic, Grech, Cuschieri, Okonkwo, Caruana.

Red cards: Krsteski 44, Agius 80, Mifsud 99.