Watch: Floriana see off Żabbar St Patrick to go second, Valletta fight back against Mosta

Floriana maintained their positive form of late when they eased past Żabbar St Patrick in wet conditions at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

It was an important win for the Greens who have now moved to second place in the standings, just one point adrift of leaders Hibernians.

The heavy rain that fell on the pitch made it very difficult for both sets of players to produce any free-flowing football.

It had to be a set-piece situation from which the stalemate was broken in favour of Floriana.

The clock marked 23 minutes when, from a Federico Varela free-kick, Iago Mendonca headed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Żabbar tried to claw themselves back into the match, but they had to wait until stoppage time to test Cioletti in the Floriana goal, when from a throw-in, Samuel Da Mata Gomes saw his header pushed away by the Greens custodian.

After the break, Żabbar brought on Mario Fontanella striker, and he almost made an instant impact when he was found in space but fired wide.

The Saints were unlucky on 49 minutes when Vinicius sent a fine cross towards Santiago Cejas, who was unlucky to see his effort coming off the bar.

Żabbar’s efforts were rewarded on 54 minutes when Vinicius sped clear on the left and surprised Cioletti with his shot to make it level.

But Floriana took a few seconds to restore their lead as straight from kick-off, Mustapha Jah was served by Varela, and the lanky forward turned past Mayron to fire home.

The goal hit hard Żabbar as they conceded again on 57 minutes when, in another swift raid, Jah served Jake Grech, who fired past Luca Camilleri.

Valletta came back from a goal down to see off Mosta 4-1 and move level with third-placed Ħamrun Spartans on 12 points in the league standings.

It was another gutsy display from Valletta who kept fighting despite falling behind to a Prince goal midway through the first half.

But after the break, Valletta’s efforts were rewarded when Yuri made it one-all on 63 minutes before the excellent Sava Radic put them 2-1 up on 72 minutes.

Late goals from Andrea Zammit and Thiago Aldama wrapped up the points for Valletta.