Hibernians were back in the groove yesterday, after their reverse against Floriana in the opening match.

Two late goals, one from a penalty, within the last eight minutes, broke the goal deadlock to give the Paolites a morale boosting win against Sliema Wanderers.

After the penalty incident, Sliema had defender Dilello sent off, after which the Wanderers conceded a second in quick succession.

It was an evenly balanced match which reserved its best in the final minutes, although during the second part, only good goalkeeping from both sides prevented further goals.

Both sides made some changes in their line-up from the previous outing. Sliema, who had narrowly beaten promoted side St George’s in the first match, called back Turner, Said and Bajada among their starting eleven while Hibernians, who conceded four goals against Floriana, relegated Pulis and Vella to the bench.

However both teams struggled to produce real goal scoring opportunities in a mediocre first half which produced the kind of football that serves as a cure for insomnia.

The two sides cancelled each other at the back as the respective strikers looked short of optimum sharpness.

There was a lack of conviction for too long. Even the set pieces failed to change the course of the game. Doffo whacked two free-kicks for Hibernians – one blocked by Akanji and the other off target.

Not even Sliema could exploit Svoboda’s weighted free-kicks. On the quarter hour, Woods’ headed effort was well saved by the outstretched Hibernians keeper Muscat.

After a barren first half, the match came somewhat to life in the second as there were half chances at both ends.

On 53 minutes, Turner failed to conclude Svoboda’s inviting cross from close range and two minutes later Caruana’s low diagonal drive brought the first difficult save from Akanji.

Sliema put in Mintoff for Nwoko past the hour and soon threatened with a Woods shot which went wide and then with Svoboda’s well placed shot which Muscat stretched himself to save.

Hibernians also introduced Udo Nwoko and went closest on 66 minutes. A Doffo free-kick was headed by Scerri towards the middle but the alert Akanji punched the ball off Caruana’s head.

With play becoming more fluent, Mattocks volleyed Woods’ pass wide but Hibernians looked more menacing on 77 minutes. Chukunyere played a low ball towards the middle. Scerri’s effort was blocked but the plucky Akanji dived at Caruana’s feet to save the loose ball.

The stalemate was broken eight minutes from time when Dilello was judged by the referee to have fouled Scerri inside the area. The Sliema defender was sent off for his second booking as Pablo Doffo tucked away the penalty which brought some protests by the Sliema clan.

The Wanderers suffered a double blow hardly four minutes later when Scerri charged through their half. His rising shot rebounded off the bar as Thomas Caruana steered in the loose ball.

Demoralised Sliema hit a late consolation goal in added time as the assistant referee Alan Camilleri flagged for some infringement he might have spotted and the referee awarded the Wanderers a penalty, scored by Ivan Woods, although it failed to avoid defeat.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, K. Cassar, R. Briffa, A. Xuereb, P. Doffo, E. Agius (U. Nwoko), M. Bartolo, T. Caruana, N. Chukunyere, T. Scerri, C. Failla (A. Pulis)

Sliema W: M. Akanji, M. Dilello, I. Ciantar, B. Said, N. Turner (A. Muscat), J. Chetcuti, R. Bajada, C. Mattocks, Z. Svoboda, C. Nwoko (J. Mintoff), I. Woods

Referee: A. Zammit; Asst refs: A. Camilleri, J. Camilleri 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: P. Doffo (pen), T. Caruana, I. Woods (pen)

Yellow cards: M. Dilello, N. Turner, R. Bajada, R. Briffa, A. Xuereb

Red card: M. Dilello

Player of the match: Mario Muscat (HIbernians)

TMI Best three: 1. M. Muscat 2. T. Scerri 3. M. Akanji