This low-key match ended all square. A point apiece deprived Hibernians of some deserved reward for their hard work and commitment as well as the champions from the chance of taking sole command of the Premier League standings for the first time this season.
The score was settled in the first half, when Hibernians took a deserved lead, but as often is the case this season, they got caught out with Marsaxlokk's equalizer just before halftime. This might have been a case of two points lost by Hibernians, whose midfield, with Doffo, Cohen and Agius, producing voluminous work had the better of chances, but again the Paoilites were found wanting in their finishing. In all fairness, Marsaxlokk's resilience in defence conceded very little, except perhaps in the first goal, and both Scerri and Alscorse were denied easy access towards goal.
Marsaxlokk started the match with the same eleven who beat Floriana in midweek. Licari again played alongside Gomes in their attack.
Hibernians, by contrast, still reeling the effects of the Sliema defeat, needed to improve upon their bleak start, with only five points from as many matches. Not surprisingly, they made the more assertive start to the match and threatened early with a Doffo close shave shot and a Scerri half chance, foiled by keeper Debono.
Hibernians made the breakthrough after 26 minutes. Cassar played the ball upfield from the right to Cohen who crossed for Terrence Scerri, allowed too much space inside the Marsaxlokk area, to volley past the helpless Debono.
The champions' response came past the half hour from a Sammut cross, upon which Licari arrived fractionally late.
Pace messed up his conclusion on a Hibernians' defensive clearance and shortly after, Scerri connected well on Cohen's low cross but hit the ball slightly wide.
A minute before the break, Marsaxlokk won a free-kick from a vintage position on the edge of the area. William Camenzuli made the best of it, beating keeper Muscat with a low drive.
Hibernians showed more urgency after the interval, but Marsaxlokk allowed them no comfort on the ball. Alcorse ran in for Cohen's through ball but shot wastefully wide. On the other end Pace had his headed effort blocked and then lofted the loose ball.
On 53 minutes, Caruana cleared out Pace's whipping cross from the right before Licari could connect in front of goal.
When Alcorse netted on 65 minutes, the goal was disallowed for offside. With 20 minutes remaining, it was still anybody's game. Hibernians' desire to win it, forced coach Robert Gatt to make a double substitution, putting in Chukunyere and Vella for Alcorse and Edafe.
They kept pressing, in search of an opening in Marsaxlokk's blanket defence. Scerri's shot was blocked into a corner and Doffo's inswinging free-kick from left was also tipped into a corner by the keeper. Agius went in well from the right but shot over.
In the dying minutes, Hibernians had what looked like legitimate claims for a penalty turned down by referee Pisani when Cohen was bundled by Templeman inside the area.
Strong protests from the Hibernians bench brought about coach Gatt's expulsion as the match ended amid loud boos of their frustrated fans towards the referee.