A solitary goal, scored in spectacular fashion by striker Andrew Cohen midway through the second half, gave Hibernians a lackluster win over a plucky Hamrun side , to put them at the top of the league standings on equal points with Sliema Wanderers but the latter with a game in hand.

A much tactically improved Hamrun side looked capable of obtaining the first league points yesterday after showing more motivation but they were again guilty of missing too many scoring opportunities which left them as yet empty handed. They are now winless, rooted at the bottom of the table after four matches.

Cohen’s winner deserved a better stage and unfortunately was the only highlight in a match where there was precious little to get excited about and a draw could have been a fairer result.

Hamrun’s starting line-up included a raft of changes from their previous match against Pieta. With two of their foreigners, Umoru and Iyiabo gone before the transfer market deadline, the Spartans fielded another Nigerian, Okoro in their team. He showed some neat touches and was involved in a couple of good moves with Hamrun’s dangerman, Spiteri.

Their midfield lacked the creative drive of the injured Rupert Mangion although Mansueto and Magri Overand were both given a start. Sultana’s presence lasted only 38 minutes as he was forced to be substituted with a thigh strain.

Hamrun battled to put their present problems behind them and had slightly more of attacking play in a dull first 45 minutes.

In fact Hibernians keeper Muscat was kept busy as Spiteri’s rasping shot after 13 minutes forced him to tip the ball over the bar into a corner.

When Spiteri headed in Borg’s cross towards the half hour, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Hibernians, with Pulis and Baldacchino sitting on the bench, looked lethargic for most of the first half. Despite their passing game, they lacked penetration and only Zahra’s sporadic runs and dribbles caused some anxious moments to the Spartans’ well organized defence. Cohen was erratic in his finishing as Doda was innocuous throughout.

The Paolites’ ball possession ratio improved in the second half, yet Hamrun created the first scoring opportunity as Okoro’s low angled shot was saved by Muscat.

Hamrun squandered the best of chances on the hour when Spiteri was put clear by Borg’s through pass, but he shot over the bar.

The Spartans paid dearly for that missed chance six minutes later as Andrew Cohen, in his lethal style, volleyed the ball past keeper Cordina, showing perfect co-ordination on Scerri’s cross to break the deadlock when the match looked heading for a draw.

Hamrun put in their other new Nigerian recruit, Nwankwo, for Mansueto as they probed for an equaliser.

But Hibernians had shifted the balance of play in their favour by then and were displaying the best passing football, with their opponents chasing shadows.

On 77 minutes, Scerri’s firm header on a Cohen corner kick was saved by keeper Cordina.

In the late stages, Scerri arrived fractionally late on Zahra’s pin-point cross from the right but another goal would have been harsh on Hamrun, who yet went close to equalizing in the dying minutes, but Spiteri was again the culprit as he failed to conclude Borg’s low cross from close range.