Hibernians       1
Mosta FC          1

Hibernians: M. Jovicic-6, D. Vella-5, J. Mbong-5.5, M. Dias-, B. Kristensen-5, I. Ntow-5 (90 C. Zammit), M. Taylon-6.5 (73 T. TaboneDesira), M. Sahanek-6.5 (89 A. Spiteri), A. Agius-5.5, T. Fonesca-5.

Mosta: A. Vella-6, J. Ekani-5.5, G. Cuomo-5.5, D. Bonnici-6, D. Xuereb-6, R. Morisco-5, D. N'Guessan-6, T. Farrugia-6, F. Franchini-7, A. Roach-6, J. Cisotti-6 (79 J.Brincat).

Referee: Glen Tonna

Yellow cards: Farrugia, Kristensen, Franchini, Mbong,

Red card: Marcelo Dias (Hibernians) 42

Attendance: 539

BOV player of the match: Marcolino Taylon (Hibernians)

Hibernians dropped another two crucial points in the race for the title as they failed to beyond a 1-1 draw against Mosta yesterday.

This was the third consecutive draw for Stefano Sanderra's side who now risk ending four points behind Valletta.

The latter face rivals Floriana this afternoon in the city and suburban derby. If the citizens win, they will open a four-point lead at the top with just four matches remaining for the end of the campaign.

For Mosta, this was a precious point which enables them to stay in joint ninth place with Tarxien Rainbows on 23 points, five points ahead of St. Andrews who are currently 12th on 18 points.

Hibernians missed the suspended Nemanya Radojevic and Jake Grech. The Paolites were the better team in the first half and they should have taken the lead much earlier than they actually did, although they were also unlucky.

But Mosta, as has been their custom in recent matches, fought gallantly and managed to win a precious point with a very late strike in their efforts to stave off relegation.

They started on attack and were unlucky not to have opened the score on the 6th minutewhen Marco Sahanek saw his freekick hitting the crossbar.

Then on 26 minutes, it was Juri Cisotti's turn to go close for Mosta with an angled shot from the left which also the near post.

Hibs took the lead in the 40th minute when Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino concluded a good run on the right flank with a fine shot which beat Mosta goalkeeper Andreas Vella.

The Paolites were reduced to 10 men three minutes from the end of the first half after Marcelo Dias was sent off for retaliation.

In the 56th minute, Cisotti managed to find the Hibs net, but the point was disallowed on grounds of offside.

Two minutes later, the Paolites went close to adding a second goal as Marcolino set Dunstan Vella, but the latter's effort hit the side netting.

Mosta notched the equaliser on the 90th minute when Tyrone Farrugia's effort hit the woodwork and off the rebound, substitute James Brincat placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.