Birkirkara 2

Hibernians 2

Birkirkara and Hibernians took a point apiece after sharing four goals in a gripping match at the National Stadium this evening. The draw meant that Birkirkara have now joined Valletta at the top of the Premier League on 30 points with Hibs staying fourth on 25 points.

Hibs started the game in lively mode. Efforts from Latvian striker Oleg Malasenoks and Chris Camilleri were beaten away by Jorge Mora, Birkirkara’s Spanish goalkeeper.

At the other end, Michael Galea headed wide from Alan Tabone’s cross but on 20 minutes, Birkirkara opened the scoring. Tabone was the provider as his an inch-perfect corner was met by defender Branko Nisevic who headed home.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Hibs were awarded a penalty after left-back Shaun Bajada was adjudged to have controlled the ball with his hands. Chris Camilleri’ took responsibility for the penalty but his drive was kept out by Mora before Nisevic cleared.

The Paolites were the more enterprising side in the early stages of the second half. They made it 1-1 on 60 minutes courtesy of Adrian Pulis who beat Mora with a low half-volley from a Ben Camilleri cross. But Birkirkara regained their lead straight from the restart, Karl Pulo blasting his shot into the roof of the net from close in after Hibs had failed to clear a long ball.

A compelling match produced one final twist when Pulis equalised for Hibs on the stroke of time.