Floriana and Balzan took a point each in a disappointing encounter at the National Stadium.

The Greens showed slightly better ideas in the opening minutes, going close on 12 minutes with an Enzo Ruiz first-time effort from the left following a cross by Arthur Oyama. Two minutes later, Brandon Paiber entered the area and tried his luck with a shot which was, however, neutralised by Mintoff.

Balzan replied with a Milos Lepovic effort which ended high following a cross by Alfred Effiong on the 16th minute.

Eight minutes in the second half, Balzan were awarded an indirect freekick inside the area for dangerous play but Ricardo Calixto Correa’s effort was blocked by a defender with the ball being cleared into safety.

The two teams continued to share the exchanges but on 82 minutes, Floriana almost managed to break the deadlock with a powerful drive by substitute Clyde Borg, served by Arthur Oyama from the left, which ended just over the bar.

Three minutes from time, Ricardo Correa was unlucky to hit the foot of the upright following a freekick from the left for Balzan and off the rebound, Aleksandar Kosoric hit incredibly wide.

On the 90th minute, Floriana seemed to have notched the winning goal when off a corner from the right, Balzan defender Aleksandar Kosoric headed the ball past Mintoff in attempt to clear the ball into safety.

However referee Stefan Pace disallowed the goal as he had already signalled an infringment inside the area in favour of Balzan.