Mosta came back from two goals down to rescue a point in a 3-3 draw with Floriana in a match from the VBET Malta Premier Opening Round league phase at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.
For Floriana, who were led by interim coach Jean Paul Desira following the termination of Daniel Portela’s contract earlier this week, this was the second successive draw.
For Mosta, this was the third successive draw but while the draws against Birzebbuga St. Peter’s and Gzira United could be considered as four missed points, this draw against Floriana is definitely a point gained, considering that they were trailing by two goals with four minutes to go.
The Greens, therefore, failed to keep the pace with leaders Valletta as they now lie on the 15 point mark, two ahead of fourth-placed Mosta
Floriana managed to take the lead on 21 minutes when off a short free kick by Paul Mbong, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli placed the ball in the top left corner.
The Blues equalised four minutes later when off a through ball by Kurt Zammit, the Floriana rear-guard failed to clear the ball into safety and Nevin Portelli slotted the ball past goalkeeper Guilherme Cioletti.
Floriana regained the lead on 34 minutes thanks to Kenan Dervisagic who intercepted goalkeeper Udoh Akpan’s erratic control of the ball following a back pass and hit home.
Two minutes in added time, before the end of the first half, Floriana were awarded a penalty after Prince Afriyie floored Gaston Romano inside the area and Paul Mbong made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Mosta reduced the gap on 87 minutes when off a cross from the right by Nevin Portelli, substitute Ryan Debono headed home past goalkeeper Cioletti.
Two minutes in added time, Mosta levelled matters when Giancarlo Goncalves delivered a corner from the right, Bradley Farrugia deflected the ball reaching Nevin Portelli whose header hit the crossbar and in an attempt to clear the ball into safety, Nikita Shchepetkin placed the ball at the back of the net for an own goal.