Hibernians: A. Camilleri, R. Mintoff (J. Xerri), A. Pulis, T. Fleri Soler (J. Pearson), A. Xuereb, P. Doffo, E. Agius, C. Failla, A. Cohen, T. Scerri (B. Camilleri), N. Chukunyere

Pieta H: M. Montfort, C. Cassar, B. Sciberras, M. Deanov, Q. Refalo (F. Sulas), C. Sammut, S. Kondev, D. Mifsud (C. Pulo), E. Herrera, R. Camilleri, R. Galabov

Referee: C. Pisani asst.refs: P. Agius, M. Debono 4th official: S. Tanti

Scorers: E. Agius, A. Cohen

Yellow cards: S. Kondev, B. Sciberras, E. Agius, J. Xerri, C. Cassar

Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top three: 1. E. Agius 2. R. Camilleri 3. N. Chukunyere

This was a chance for Hibernians to return to winning ways after two consecutive reverse results against Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers. This they did, by beating inferior Pieta Hotspurs with two second half goals but it wasn’t anything to get carried away with.

In fact it was largely a messy affair, especially in the first half, when the lack of firepower from Hibernians brought the ire of their disgruntled fans.

Hibernians finally managed to win full points, and move up above Birkirkara and Hamrun Spartans, with an Agius goal shortly after the restart and a late spectacular Cohen free kick which enabled them to finish the game with a bang rather than a whimper. But it put some excessive gloss to their latest success.

The future is bleak for Pieta. The Hotspurs are now winless in seven league matches and yesterday they rarely looked like improving on their dismal record. Their deficiencies – with a misfiring midfield and a lightweight forward line which hardly ever troubled keeper Camilleri, deputizing for the suspended Muscat, in the Hibernians goal – were again self evident.

The only talking point of an opening half singularly lacking quality was Hibernians’ legitimate claims for a penalty after 20 minutes when Pieta’s defender Sciberras blocked Scerri’s lob with his outstretched arms inside the area.

For most of the first half neither goalkeeper needed to be in residence.

It was only in the late stages of the half that Hibernians, also bereft of Edafe in midfield, increased their efforts and really threatened when a Cohen corner from the left, after Doffo’s free kick was deflected off the wall, caused some panic inside the Pieta area, but somehow the danger was averted.

And on the stroke of halftime, keeper Montfort palmed out Chukunyere’s shot from close range.

Hibernians slightly improved after the restart as they carved out the better chances.

Within five minutes they forged ahead following a move started by substitute Xerri from the right flank to Chukunyere, who crossed towards the middle. And as the Pieta defence took time to clear, the ball fell to Edmond Agius, unmarked on the left, who scored with a rasping shot, hitting the underside of the bar.

That gave the Paolites a fresh breadth of life but since the second goal did not follow, Pieta were still in the game. On the hour, Galabov’s lob from a distance nearly caught keeper Camilleri off his line, but the ball went tantalisingly wide.

On the other end, Montfort completely missed the flight of the ball on a Pulis free kick, but luckily the effort was not on target.

On 73 minutes Agius played a through ball to Ben Camilleri, who had gone in for Scerri. The Hibernians’ striker was stopped as he came into contact with the onrushing Montfort inside the area but the referee did not interrupt play.

Ten minutes from time, Hibernians were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area in a central position. Andrew Cohen, who until then had been only a peripheral figure, put his side’s mind at rest when he exquisitely placed the ball at the top left hand corner, leaving keeper Montfort hooked to his line.