Floriana defeated Gzira United 2-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday to move to just one point behind leaders Hibernians.
The Greens were a better side during the first half, taking a two-goal lead and although Gzira improved during the second half and they had goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov sent off, conceding a goal late in the game, Floriana held on to take home the three points.
Floriana took the lead on the 11th minute when Ulises Arias took advantage of the poor control of the ball by Marko Cosic and intercepting a deflection by Luke Tabone, served Jan Busuttil who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Darijan Zarkov.
Four minutes later, Arias served Ryan Camenzuli who entered the area from the left before trying his luck with an angled shot which hit the crossbar.
The Greens doubled the score four minutes from the end of the first half when Andrei Ciolacu intercepted a back pass by Antonio Pavic for the goalkeeper, rounded Zarkov and served the unmarked Ulises Arias who placed the ball at the back of the net.
Three minutes in the second half, Zachary Scerri was unlucky to hit the crossbar for Gzira with a brilliant first time effort.
Floriana were reduced to ten men on the 75th when goalkeeper Georgi Kitanov brought Toni Kolega down outside the area. Manuel Bartolo replaced him in goal.
Gzira pulled one back two minutes from time thanks to a Maxuell Maia penalty after Jefferson was brought down by Matias Garcia.