Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff (B. Camilleri 61 min), E. Mbong, D. Camilleri, H. Doda, T. Scerri (M. Bartolo 89 min), A. Cohen, R. Baldacchino (C. Failla 80 min).

Birkirkara: I. Casha (J. Galea 76 min), L. Galea (M.A. Bonnici 72 min), R. Sammut, M. Calascione, E. Barbara, R. Briffa, M. Anastasi (W. Camenzuli 46 min), C. Micallef, K. Scicluna, E. Yanychev, A. Ciantar.

Referee: A. Zammit, Asst refs: N. Debattista, S. Tanti. 4th official: C. Pisani.

Scorers: A. Cohen (pen), P. Pullicino, E. Barbara (pen)

Yellow cards: A. Pulis, E. Yanychev, W. Camenzuli

Red card: C. Micallef

Hibernians yesterday beat a gallant and depleted Birkirkara side by the odd goal in three to keep in contention for the Euro Challenge Cup with champions Sliema.

Following this result the Paolites will now have to beat the Blues tomorrow in the final match of the competition, as a draw result will reward the Wanderers who obtained a three-goal margin win against Birkirkara on Monday.

The match was very interesting, with three goals, three penalties and one red card, and Birkirkara without several key players gave a very good account of themselves and could have easily snatched a point with some luck.

Birkirkara fielded practically the same line as in their first encounter, with Yanychev in the first eleven.

For Hibernians Haruna Doda was making his debut against his former club, and his debut was a low profile one.

David Camilleri worked hard in midfield, with Cohen menacing whenever getting possession of the ball. Substitute Ben Camilleri stole the show near the end with some polishing football.

Both teams were rather weak at the back, and both must surely improve considerably as the season gets old. But it is too early to judge, but both teams will surely amongst the front runners for the honours this season.

The Stripes started the match like a house on fire penetrating the opponents' rearguard with relative ease especially from the right flank with Clint Micallef and Etienne Barbara in evidence.

In fact after only two minutes Anastasi missed a good opportunity in front of goal following a good Calascione-Barbara move. Minutes later Clint Micallef blasted high from the edge of the area, with Muscat saving Anastasi's weak shot following a Ciantar corner-kick.

On 13 minutes Roderick Briffa floated a perfect pass to Etienne Barbara whose first timer went inches wide. Hibs were plucky at the back and a Yanychev long ball created havoc with Barbara's shot providentially blocked by Xuereb.

The Stripes' superiority came to an abrupt end on 18 minutes when Andrew Cohen showed all his class passing to the fast Terence Scerri who was tripped by a rather hesitant Casha. From the resultant penalty Cohen converted in style to give Hibs an undeserved lead.

The match was now more balanced, and played mainly in midfield with Barbara doing his utmost to get things going for Birkirkara. However Andrew Cohen was the real danger man as he was denied by a brilliant Casha save following a personal effort from the right.

Birkirkara started the second half with William Camenzuli in their ranks for promising Anastasi. But Hibs doubled the score after barely two minutes when Peter Pullicino first timed beautifully in a long ball from Pulis.

Birkirkara did not throw in the towel and Barbara was very unlucky when he hit the crossbar from an acute angle. On 56 minutes, Barbara, Birkirkara's best, was floored by Pulis just inside the area and the same ex-Floriana player scored from the penalty spot with Muscat tipping the ball before finishing in the corner of the net.

The match was very interesting now with Hibernians having a golden opportunity of re-establishing their two-goal lead when they were awarded a second penalty. Terence Scerri ran for a long ball from the back and was tackled by Yanychev who was also booked. But this time Cohen was less sharp and his try hit the base of the upright

Cohen could have closed the contest but his shot went off target minutes later.

On 70 minutes David Camilleri had a dangerous freekick going over the bar. Birkirkara surged forward and Roderick Sammut almost snatched a dramatic equaliser with a solo effort seven minutes from time.

With three minutes to go, Birkirkara's Clint Micallef was sent off following a nasty tackle on the polished Ben Camilleri.

In the remaining minutes Birkirkara threw everything forward but to no avail as Hibernians controlled their slender lead to fight it out tomorrow against Sliema for the first honour of the season.