Valletta were beaten by a resilient Hibernians side yesterday and denied the opportunity to move up into second place in the standings.

Meanwhile Hibernians were back in the groove after the defeat by Pieta, recapturing the spirit of buoyance that could land them one of the top six berths by the end of the second round.

Chukunyere and Scerri were always a threat with their pacey runs as Cohen orchestrated his side’s manoeuvres from midfield.

After a disappointing first half, Valletta looked most menacing in a devastating burst at the start of the second half, which saw them denied by the woodwork and a top notch save by keeper Muscat.

But Hibernians’ extra pace and more convincing passing always looked more likely to prosper.

Hibernians reshuffled their team. They recalled Mario Muscat in goal and Pulis in defence but dropped Nwoko and Bartolo, giving also a start to Agius. Valletta were back at full strength, with Forace making his return to the squad.

Hibernins took an early lead, breaking the deadlock after only six minutes when Terence Scerri chased Cohen’s deep pass and as his pacy run got him past his marker, he beat keeper Darmanin with a low shot at the far end.

Valletta were visibly shocked, still unsettled as their opponents looked more purposeful and determined. Always penetrative on the break, Hibernians were good value for their advantage and not surprisingly scored a second goal on 12 minutes. On another Cohen cross, Ndubisi Chukunyere was left unattended to beat the Valletta keeper with a routine header from close range.

The Citizens took long to recover from the double shock. An Agius free-kick on 18 minutes was blocked by the Hibernians’ wall.

But the Paolites were still in command and past the half hour Scerri again found an opening in Valletta’s defence. His goal bound effort was deflected into a corner by a Valletta defender.

Valletta’s attack in the first half was reduced to near anonymity. Their marksman Monesterolo had also been subdued to the point of invisibility.

But Valletta reverted to a more direct approach after resumption and Hibernians survived two scares as Valletta twice went close to reducing the deficit.

On 50 minutes Agius’ free-kick hit the post with Muscat rooted to his line and two minutes later the Hibernians’ custodian pulled a save from the top drawer as he stretched himself to palm out Zammit’s goal bound header on Camilleri’s free-kick.

Hibernians retreated further but still looked menacing on the break. On 65 minutes Doffo danced dangerously inside the Valletta area but found no open space.When he played the ball back to the advancing Cohen, the latter shot off target.

On 70 minutes, Monesterolo, who had been prolific of late, missed a good chance for Valletta when failing to connect on Agius’ low cross.

But 12 minutes from time, Dylan Zarb, who had just gone in as substitute for Bondin, advanced towards the edge of the area, when served by Nisevic, and unleashed the ball at the top right hand corner with Muscat stranded.

That goal flickered brief hopes for Valletta who pushed forward for an equaliser. Hibernians put in Bartolo and defended grimly Valletta’s late sustained pressure well into five minutes of added time to pull an important morale-boosting victory at the end.

* * *

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

Valletta: S. Darmanin, J. Bondin (D. Zarb), M. Grima, B. Nisevic, S. Bezzina, K. Fenech (D. Falzon), U. Edafe, D. Camilleri, I. Zammit (J. Grioli), G. Agius, S. Monesterolo

Referee: P. Caruana Asst.refs: K. Borg, M. Debono 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: T. Scerri, N. Chukunyere, D. Zarb

Yellow cards: N. Chukunyere, K. Fenech, M. Grima, J. Bondin, A. Cohen, M. Muscat

Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. A. Cohen 2. N. Chukunyere 3. T. Scerri