Two penalties by Willis Furtado paved the way for Floriana as they defeated Mosta 4-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday.
A win which temporarily puts the greens five points clear of Hamrun Spartans but the Spartans have a game against Gzira in hand. Mosta, on the other hand, remain fourth from bottom.
The Greens took the lead on the 22nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Matheus Souza was brought down inside the area by goalkeeper David Udoh Akpan and Willis Furtado made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Floriana were awarded another penalty on the 36th when Armen Hovhannisyan floored Maksim Valadzko inside the area and from the penalty spot, Willis Furtado converted.
Two minutes from the end of the first half, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli delivered a freekick from the right, the ball reached Oualid El Hasni whose shot was partially saved by Akpan and Owen Spiteri slotted the ball home from close range.
Floriana increased the lead on the 90th when off an assist by Mattia Veselji from the right, Jake Grech’s effort was blocked by the goalkeeper and Christos Rovas hit home off the rebound.
Two minutes in added time, Bradley Farrugia was sent off for a dangerous tackle on El Hasni.