Valletta: S. Darmanin, K. Scicluna, M. Grima, J. Mifsud, R. Forace; H. Backhaus, S. Giglio (D. Camilleri), C. Mattocks (J. Bondin), G. Agius, D. Falzon, S. Monesterolo.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, J. Caruana, K. Cassar (J. Vella), R. Mintoff, E. Agius, A. Cohen, P. Doffo, T. Scerri, J. Alcorse (N. Chukunyere), U. Edafe.

Referee: J. Attard. Asst refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri. 4th official: A. Azzopardi.

Scorers: S. Giglio pen, A. Cohen

Yellow cards: U. Edafe, J. Mifsud, K. Cassar, T. Scerri

Player of the match: G. Agius.

TMI Top three: 1. G. Agius (Valletta), 2. A. Cohen (Hibernians), 3. C. Mattocks (Valletta)

A Stefan Giglio penalty after only 13 minutes appeared to have given Valletta three precious points from a tight clash against a gritty but erratic Hibernians side yesterday evening. But the Paolites fought back strongly even if they had to wait till three minutes from the end to score an equaliser through Andrew Cohen.

It was a merited point for the Paolites who did everything to avoid defeat which would have left them very close to the bottom end of the standings.

On the other hand, for Valletta it was another disappointment having missed the three points by a whisker, even if they would be the first to admit that the Paolites never deserved to leave the pitch empty handed.

Four players were above all the others in this match with the two goalies, Mario Muscat and Saviour Darmanin distinguishing themselves with some excellent saves and with Gilbert Agius and Andrew Cohen confirming that they are passing through an excellent moment once again, the latter also scoring a magnificent equaliser for his side..

Valletta had a good start to the match taking control of midfield and putting the Paolites under pressure apart from creating the best opportunities.

But after taking the lead, they were forced to defend for most of the time by the Paolites, eager to get back on level terms. Cohen and Doffo proved tough to handle for the City defence, at times, but former City midfielder Edafe, despite his encouraging work rate, was unconvincing in his conclusions.

In the second half, it was again Hibernians who pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but Valletta were well organised at the back and rarely passed through any anxious moment.

Valletta immediately went close to scoring in the first minute. Gilbert Agius set Dyson Falzon beautifully, but the latter’s effort was blocked by the onrushing Muscat.

On eight minutes, it was Muscat who was a protagonist once again, this time, turning to corner in style a Monesterolo effort.

Hibs replied with anAndrew Cohen solo action. After dribbling neatly round two opponents in the area, his low shot was well saved by Saviour Darmanin.

On 13 minutes Valletta took the lead. Stefan Giglio was floored by Adrian Pulis in the area and from the resultant spot-kick, the same Giglio made no mistake.

Hibs here retaliated, but despite the intelligent roaming of Doffo and Cohen, their efforts were futile as the Paolites reached the edge of the City area, where Grima and Backhaus seemed to be in command.

On 27 minutes, Valletta were again close when a Gilbert Agius cross found Monesterolo flicking the ball sideways, but Muscat was again equal to the task, smothering the effort in two attempts.

Immediately afterwards, at the other end, Lacorse was through, but his shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Darmanin.

Till the end of the half, Hibs kept the initiative but Valletta kept them at bay and Darmanin was never seriously tested again.

Early in the second half, Valletta again went close when Muscat had to dive at Agius’s feet to avoid an awkward situation.

On 50 minutes, Terence Scerri was thwarted from an equaliser by Darmanin who rushed out of his charge to smother to corner.

On 57 minutes, it was Agius who crossed beautifully into the Hibs area, but Dyson Falzon was a second too late to connect.

On 60 minutes, Terence Scerri advanced unhindered on the left flank. His low cross appeared to be going to the unmarked Lacorse, but Massimo Grima cleared the ball in extremis.

On 67 minutes, it was Gilbert Agius who tried a shot from outside the area, but it went wide.

The Paolites tried hard but they were found wanting in their conclusions as City closed all the gaps at the back.

In a swift counter-attack, Monesterolo finally showed everyone that he was playing hitting the side rigging with a good effort. At the other end, from a Cohen freekick, Scerri’s overhead kick went over.

A few minutes later, off a Doffo cornerkick, the ball fell to Adrian Pulis, but the defender lifted the ball over the bar.

And on 76 minutes Monesterolo again was dangerous, his shot being turned to corner by the diving Muscat.

Hibs came closest to an equaliser on 78 minutes. From a Kevin Cassar cross, Chukunyere headed forward for Scerri who tried to lob over the advancing Darmanin, but the City goalie covered himself with glory saving magnificently.

The Paolites insisted and were finally rewarded on 87 minutes, when off a Doffo cross, it was their best player, Andrew Cohen, who hit home a header that gave Darmanin no chance.

Other results: quick Keno Div. II/III KO: Siggiewi-Zejtun C. 2-1; Qrendi-St Venera 0-0 (St Venera through to quarter-finals)