Floriana were left to rue a string of missed opportunities as they were held to a goalless draw by closest challengers Marsaxlokk in a tightly contested encounter.

The Greens made a bright start and threatened early on when, after just eight minutes, Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona rushed off his line to deny Myles Beerman. The visitors responded shortly after with Dodo Soares, whose header drifted just wide.

Floriana continued to press and on 29 minutes Mustapha Jah met Mattia Veselji’s cross, but his header cleared the bar. Four minutes before the interval Jah again looked dangerous as he drove into the area, only to be thwarted by the alert Calleja Cremona.

Jah’s afternoon came to an early end, however, as he was forced off injured at the start of the second half and replaced by Kenon Dervisagic.

The Greens should have broken the deadlock on 51 minutes when Jake Grech found himself with space inside the area, but he fired wide from close range. Grech had another opportunity moments later from a free-kick, yet Calleja Cremona was equal to the effort.

Floriana kept pushing, with Rasmus Linden surging forward from the right on 68 minutes only to see his shot sail just over. Rui Areias then missed a golden chance twelve minutes from time, heading over from a favourable position.

Marsaxlokk almost snatched victory late on when Soares burst into the area, but Floriana goalkeeper Cioletti produced a crucial save to preserve the stalemate.

In the end, Floriana were left frustrated by their profligacy in front of goal as Marsaxlokk earned a valuable point in the title race.