Floriana confirmed their credentials as the main challengers for leaders Hibernians as they defeated Birkirkara 1-0 at the National Stadium on Sunday to move to just four points behind the Paolites.
The Greens, who therefore registered a fourth consecutive win, move four points ahead of Hamrun and five ahead of Birkirkara with the latter two facing each other in a direct clash on Wednesday.
Both sides had a player making their debut after being included as susbtitutes, namely Armenian international Rumyan Hovsepyan for Floriana and Johnson Nsumoh for Birkirkara
Floriana scored the all-important goal on the 16th minute when the Birkirkara rear-guard stopped for what they thought was a foul and Jan Busuttil entered the area and served Andrei-Cosmin Ciolacu who hit home past goalkeeper Amara Sylla.
Early in the second half, the Stripes had an appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Darryl Agius.