Valletta: S. Sullivan, R. Forace, B. Nisevic, S. Pace, K. Cassar, C. Oretan, M. Penchev, J. Bondin (M. Grima), G. Agius, M. Galea (M. Montfort), K. Fenech (I. Zammit).

Hibs: M. Muscat, K. Spiteri (R. Baldacchino), A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, D. Camilleri, E. Mbong, P. Pullicino, N. Chukunyere, T. Scerri, C. Failla (A. Zahra).

Referee: A. Azzopardi Asst.refs: P. Agius, A. Camilleri 4th official: J. Attrad

Scorers: D. Camilleri (pen), T. Scerri

Red card: S. Sullivan

Player of match: N. Chukunyere (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. E. Mbong 2. D. Camilleri 3. S. Pace

A penalty goal, awarded on the half hour, as well as the sending off of Valletta's goalkeeper Sean Sullivan in the same incident, paved the way for Hibernians' win which puts them closer to the chasing pack for second place.

That proved to be the turning point of a match bereft of any real goalmouth action, played mostly in midfield with both sides stifling each other's attacking options. Hibernians sealed the issue with a second goal in the dying minutes with practically only their second shot on target.

Valletta's defeat in the circumstances, leaves them eight points adrift of Sliema Wanderers, with the latter making a closer step towards their third consecutive championship win.

Meanwhile the fight for the runners-up spot hots up further.

Both sides set out with an attacking game plan, trying to close up on their rivals in the standings. With Birkirkara winning against Floriana in the previous match, the pressure switched on Valletta to win this match and keep a distant second. Hibernians, on the other hand, could not afford to lose further ground and needed maximum points to close on third placed Birkirkara and bridge the gap on the same Valletta.

Valletta welcomed the return of Fenech after suspension as well as Pace in defence. There was no place, however, for Massimo Grima. For the second consecutive time, the Valletta central defender sat on the bench.

Hibernians had Scerri back in attack but were bereft of Cohen, also suspended.

Hibernians promptly established hegemony in midfield but Valletta were equally water tight at the back, with Sullivan back in goal.

The latter's appearance lasted only half an hour when he was dismissed in the only talking point of an opening half singularly lacking in goalmouth action.

Chukunyere's penetrating pass to the advancing Scerri beat Valletta's offside trap and, as the flag remained down, the Hibs striker made his way towards goal, only to be floored inside the area by Sullivan in the process.

Hibernians were awarded a penalty and the Valletta keeper was shown the red card. David Camilleri stepped up to beat reserve keeper Montfort from the spot kick to give Hibernians the lead.

A goal and a man down, Valletta faced an uphill task.

With Mbong winning all tussles in midfield and Chukunyere dangerous with his explosive bursts on both flanks, Hibernians began to find pace and momentum.

For most of the second half the game continued to flash from one box to the other in a frantic and somewhat scrappy fashion. Both sides needed a more cohesive approach to break down opposing defences.

On 53 minutes Hibernians put in Antoine Zahra for Failla wide on the flank but they still struggled to make anything out of it despite their numerical superiority.

Past the hour, battling Valletta went close with a Penchev long drive which narrowly missed the target. Soon after, Massimo Grima substituted Bondin and in their final push for an equaliser, Valletta also put in striker Zammit for the last 20 minutes.

In their frantic efforts to get a goal, Valletta left gaps in defence which Hibernians only exploited two minutes from normal time. Pace was caught outnumbered against three opponents, as Mbong played the ball to Chukunyere on the right and his low pass towards the middle was finished off by Terence Scerri to kill off all Valletta's hopes.