Hibernians won local football's second major honour for the second year running after edging Sliema Wanderers in a penalty shoot-out to retain the U*Bet FA Trophy and end their season on a high, besides booking a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

This was just reward for a side, often referred to by critics as an enigma. But on their day, Hibernians proved they are inferior to nobody.

Yesterday they won through sheer resilience, portraying their character despite heading towards defeat, as they trailed Sliema until added time.

After a barren first half, the second bore more resemblance to a cup final, producing all the excitement with Andre Da Silva's late equaliser leading to a dramatic finish after Sliema had taken the lead through their defender Ian Ciantar 20 minutes from time.

Hibernians could have won it in extra time as Sliema tired out and were mostly bystanders.

There were hardly any changes in both teams' starting line-ups from their semi-final matches, except that Sliema fielded Anonam instead of the injured Muscat.

That meant Chetcuti recovered well to earn his place for the Wanderers while Chukunyere started on the bench for the Paolites.

Driven by the energy of Da Silva, and the illusive movement of Cohen, Hibernians were off to a more aggressive start, enjoying the lion's share of possession, albeit lacking the imagination needed to unlock Sliema's defence.

Both goalkeepers were put to test in the early stages. Da Silva's tame header, on a Bartolo cross from the right, was saved by Akanji while Anonam's shot from a distance was blocked by Muscat, standing on his line, in two attempts.

The tempo remained mostly low for most of the first 20 minutes with scoring opportunities being stifled once either side progressed past the halfway line.

Midway through the half, Da Silva lobbed the ball over the Sliema defence for the advancing Scerri who put his powerful shot off target.

Xuereb was booked for a plunging tackle on Woods and shortly after Chetcuti also had his name jotted down in the referee's notebook for blocking Da Silva's progression in an unorthodox manner.

Hibernians' defensive network denied their opponents any comfort on the ball but past the half hour, Bajada was allowed space to shoot low a loose ball from outside the area. Keeper Muscat was equal to task, stretching himself to block.

Two minutes before the break, the Hibernians' keeper produced the most difficult save, plunging to his right to hold out Bajada's grounder, when well served by Madzar.

On the stroke of halftime, Agius steered the ball to Xuereb, standing on the edge of the Sliema area with his back towards goal. The Hibernians defender's shot on the turn was tipped over the bar by keeper Akanji as the half ended goalless.

Sliema stepped up a gear after the interval and the pattern of the game was to change briefly.

Bajada shot his free-kick against the wall and a Woods effort went over the bar. Da Silva twice created space for Scerri, but the assistant's flag cut short the outcome.

On 55 minutes, keeper Muscat kept his side into the match as he twice repelled goal bound efforts by Giglio and Woods in succession.

Hibernians also looked menacing towards the hour. Bartolo shot against the side netting following his surging deep run from midfield and Doffo's weighted free-kick was turned over the bar into a corner by the Sliema keeper.

The limping Failla made way for Pulis after 67 minutes. Only three minutes later, Sliema made the breakthrough. On Bajada's sailing free-kick from half pitch on the right, Ian Ciantar beat Muscat with a glancing header to send the Sliema fans in raptures.

Hibernians' immediate response was the inclusion of Chukunyere for Agius as they pressed forward for an equaliser. Sliema, who also put in the fresh legs of Brincat and Nwoko in midfield, looked capable of holding on to Hibernians' late onslaught only to be caught cold by the Paolites' equaliser deep into added time.

Pulis sent a high ball inside the Sliema area, keeper Akanji rushed out to punch when challenged by Chukunyere, and Andre Da Silva scored with a looping header to force extra time.

It was still anybody's game with a high ratio of scoring opportunities at both ends for the following 30 minutes, although Hibernians remained sharper on the ball. Keeper Akanji thwarted Cohen and Scerri twice. The latter went close with a diagonal shot just missing the target. Muscat also saved Bajada's shot and substitute Carabott's powerful rising shot went over. Both sets of tiring legs produced no further goals as the contest progressed to the penalty shoot-out.

While Doffo, Da Silva and Xuereb all scored for Hibernians, Anonam and Carabott hit the woodwork and keeper Muscat saved Said's shot to give Hibernians a hard fought but deserved win.

At the end, MFA president Joe Mifsud presented the Trophy to captain Mario Muscat as a proud club president Tony Bezzina joined his team's celebrations.

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

Sliema W : M. Akanji, R. Bajada, J. Chetcuti, I. Ciantar, S. Giglio (J. Brincat), A. Madzar (J. Brincat), C. Mattocks, O. Anonam, S. Pace (D. Carabott), B. Said, I. Woods

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

Scorers: I. Ciantar, A. Da Silva

Yellow cards: P.Doffo, I. Woods, A. Xuereb, J. Chetcuti, A. Da Silva, C. Mattocks, C. Nwoko, I. Ciantar