Hibernians and Birkirkara shared the spoils in an exciting game yesterday but the result left both sides disappointed and Valletta all smiles as they consolidated their second place in the table.

Both Birkirkara and Hibernians were under pressure to deliver the goods after Valletta’s win against Marsaxlokk and Sliema’s victory in Saturday’s match. Nothing but the three points would have done for both teams in their bid to retain their hopes of fighting for a berth in Europe.

The two teams took the field with a number of their regular players missing. On one end, Birkirkara had Precious Monye missing together with Michael Galea and Roderick Briffa, the latter two out on long-term injuries while Hibernians were without the services of Adrian Pulis and Terence Scerri.

Birkirkara took an early lead but Hibernians managed to turn the tables in the first half when they took the lead with two splendid goals scored by their striker Andrew Cohen.

The Paolites were superior up front with Chukunyere and Cohen proving to be a handful for a slow Birkirkara defence.

Meanwhile, the Birkirkara attack looked confused with players changing positions but rarely, if ever, procuring any damage to the strong Hibernians rearguard.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi made amends in the second half, especially in defence when he put Mark Anthony Bonnici on the right flank, moved Camenzuli to the left flank and Lino Galea in a central defensive midfield role. This immediately reaped the desired fruits as Birkirkara immediately equalised on the change of ends. Camenzuli was again moved to central defence as Galea took his normal left back role soon after the goal.

These two players were to my view the best players for Birkirkara yesterday.

Even coach Robert Gatt opted to deploy David Camilleri in midfield in the second half, giving his side some life as he came to the support of Chukunyere and Cohen.

On entry into the field of play, both teams had black and white shirts with the slogan “Against Racism” which they then removed and gave to supporters on the terraces.

Birkirkara took the lead after just eight minutes. Nwoko set Doda through with a superb pass. The latter, beating the offside trap was alone and kept his cool to hit a low shot past a helpless Muscat. The Paolites protested for Mifsud Triganza’s offside position but the referee deemed he was not interfering with play.

Hibernians took some time to pile up the pressure and Birkirkara again had a good chance off a Nwoko freekick but the ball went wide.

The Paolites equalised in the 25th minute. Andrew Cohen from outside the area unleashed a superb left-foot drive which beat Justin Haber all ends up.

At the other end, seconds later, Etienne Barbara from a good position hit wide.

The Paolites managed to plunge ahead in the 29th minute and again it was a superb invention by Andrew Cohen who hit a direct freekick into the top corner of the net, beating goalkeeper Haber all ends up.

And only one minute later, Cohen could have increased the lead when he was served with a goal on a plate by Chukunyere but the latter’s effort was first blocked by Haber and then Mallia who cleared the danger.

Birkirkara could not pierce open the Hibernians rearguard and efforts by Barbara and Doda did not reap the desired fruits.

However, Birkirkara immediately pulled level on the change of ends. Substitute Mark Anthony Bonnici down the right beat two defenders and crossed inside the area. A Birkirkara player appeared to have been fouled inside the area but the play went on. In came Lino Galea from the left who hit a splendid low shot past Muscat.

The Stripes were lucky to escape unscathed in the 66th minute when Dronca made an incredible error when in defence allowing Chukunyere to take the ball. Alone he passed to Cohen who missed an incredible sitter when he hit wide with just Haber to beat.

The pressure on Birkirkara’s rearguard was now continuous when after good work in midfield by Chukunyere, Cohen passed to Pullicino who rounded Haber but then was angled. He crossed to the middle but by this time the Birkirkara defence had recovered and cleared the danger. Soon after a Cohen header inched just wide.

It was now an onslaught as Hibernians were finding it easy to open the Birkirkara defence which now included Kenneth Scicluna who substituted Lucien Dronca. Ben Spiteri down the right hit over the bar when in a good position.

For all their pressure, Hibernians could not score the winner and the match ended with a result which satisified no-one.

Teams: Hibernians: M. Muscat, K. Spiteri, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, D. Camilleri, E. Mbong, P. Pullicino, N. Chukunyere, B. Camilleri, A. Cohen, C. Failla (R. Baldacchino).

Birkirkara: J. Haber, L. Galea, R. Sammut, W. Camenzuli, H. Doda, C. Nwoko, L. Dronca (K. Scicluna), J. Mifsud Triganza, G. Mallia, E. Barbara, A. Ciantar (M. Bonnici).

Referee: M. Borg. Asst. refs: A. Camilleri, S. Tanti; 4th official: A. Casha

Scorers: H. Doda, A. Cohen (2), L. Galea.

Yellow cards: W. Camenzuli, D. Camilleri, E. Mbong, A. Cohen,

Player of the match: A. Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. N. Chukunyere, 2. L. Galea, 3. A. Cohen.