Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, K. Spiteri, A. Pulis, E. Mbong, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, C. Failla, B. Camilleri, E. Agius, D. Camilleri.

Floriana: S. Agius, I. Ciantar, K. Fabri, I. Azzopardi, J. Briffa (M. Caruana), K. Formosa, C. Cassar (C. Caruana), M. Micallef (M. Gauci), A. Mifsud, N. Baldacchino, T. Cilia.

Referee: A. Casha. Asst refs: J. Rapa, A. Camilleri. 4th official: M. Borg.

Goal scorers: A. Cohen pen, M. Micallef

Yellow cards: B. Camilleri, I. Azzopardi, K. Fabri, N. Baldacchino

Player of the match: M. Micallef

TMI top 3: 1. M. Micallef, 2. D. Camilleri, 3. I. Azzopardi.

Hibernians yesterday missed the chance of enjoying sole leadership as they dropped two points to a battling Floriana side in an entertaining 1-1 draw.

The draw means that Hibernians have now joined Sliema once again on top of the standings with 28 points.

On their part, it was the third consecutive positive result for the Greens following two victories against Pieta and Valletta.

The Greens maintained their good form with another encouraging performance, but Hibernians were very unimpressive and could not complain.

In the first half, play was equally shared but Floriana were handicapped with the injuries to Christian Cassar and Julian Briffa.

Still, the Greens played some delightful football and even created a good number of chances, keeping goalkeeper Muscat active frequently.

On their part, Hibernians also had their moments, but it was evident that the artificial surface was not to their liking as they missed a number of long balls, especially Terence Scerri and Andrew Cohen.

In the second half, Hibernians went out in search of a goal and pressed hard until they finally took the lead.

But Floriana reacted strongly and obtained their equaliser soon after. They defended strongly and even appeared more dangerous in their counter-attacks.

After just four minutes, Scerri missed a good chance for the Paolites as he failed to control a good low cross from the right.

In the 15th minute, Agius was called into action to turn to corner a freekick from Andrew Cohen.

At the other end, an Ian Azzopardi freekick was excellently turned to corner by the alert Muscat. The Hibs goalie was soon in action again, diving sideways to palm out another Azzopardi freekick.

But it was the Paolites who went closest when Simon Agius saved a close range effort from Essien Mbong.

On 33 minutes, an Andrew Cohen dangerous low cross was cleared to corner by Ian Ciantar.

At the other end, an Ian Ciantar freekick was cleared to corner by Kenneth Spiteri, who also risked an own goal in the process.

Later Muscat had to dive at Mifsud’s feet as he was put neatly through by Micallef.

On the hour, Hibernians took the lead. Off a David Camilleri freekick, Cohen appeared to have been floored by a Floriana defender. From the spotkick, the same Cohen made no mistake.

Four minutes later it was all square again. A Manolito Micallef freekick had Muscat in difficulty and the Hibs goalie could only touch the ball on its way into the net.

On 68 minutes, Muscat was a protagonist as he dived sideways to turn a Mifsud shot to corner.

Hibernians attacked persistently near the end but the only time they came near to scoring was through a Scerri header which was blocked to a corner.