Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Xuereb, J. Caruana, C. Failla (A. Mifsud), P. Doffo, T. Scerri, A. Cohen, E. Agius, A. Fish (A. Pulis), B. Camilleri, U. Edafe (N. Chukunyere)

Hamrun S: S. Sullivan, M.A.Bonnici (K. Borg), Roderick Fenech, S. Meilak, Ryan Fenech, J. Debattista, R. Mangion, N. Galea, B. Timotic, G. Spiteri (D. Ciscaldi), A. Effiong

Referee: A. Zammit Asst.refs: K. Borg, C. Micallef 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: B. Timotic, A. Mifsud

Yellow cards: A. Effiong, G. Spiteri, Ryan Fenech, B. Timotic

Player of the match: Sean Sullivan (Hamrun Spartans)

TMI top three: 1. S. Sullivan 2. P. Doffo 3. B. Timotic

Hamrun Spartans held on to Hibernians’ blitz to earn a draw which served them enough to clinch the sixth place in the Championship Pool yesterday in a dramatic and exciting match that kept everyone present at Ta’ Qali on tenterhooks till the very end.

Hibernians had tried practically everything to pierce Hamrun’s blanket defence but found keeper Sean Sullivan in a good vein of form. He singlehandedly frustrated them time and again. They had more of the offensive and camped Hamrun inside their own half for long stretches but failed to convert their chances into goals.

They even conceded Hamrun’s goal past the hour and had to surmount a mammoth task after that.

Even though they managed to draw level, they were denied by the Spartans’ galvanised defence where Timotic, Roderick Fenech and Co gave their hearts out to achieve their ultimate goal.

Sadly for Hibernians, they now play in the Relegation Pool, and start two points ahead of Msida SJ.

Hamrun could recall Rupert Mangion and Gaetan Spiteri, back from suspension but had Monye ruled out, as well as Sultana, Attard and Briffa still unfit.

By contrast Hibernians were at full strength, with Agius back after suspension. They could afford to leave Chukunyere, Adrian Mifsud, Pulis and Mintoff on the bench as coach Gatt gave starts to Ben Camilleri and Fish.

Hibernians started in more aggressive fashion, aware that only a win would suffice, but Hamrun stayed composed, opting for caution.

Effiong was being served with long balls forward to exploit his agility up front. After 11 minutes his grounder was blocked by keeper Muscat. On the other end, Doffo was through inside the Hamrun area. Sullivan repelled his close-range shot to deny Hibernians.

Past the quarter hour, Failla played the ball in open space for Scerri to hit it first time but off target. Hibernians gradually started to take the upperhand as Hamrun were back pedalling.

Failla’s dipper narrowly missed the target and on 34 minutes a Fish direct free kick forced keeper Sullivan to stretch himself and turn into a corner.

Hibernians ended the half on the offensive, with Hamrun defending grimly.

The Paolites stepped up a gear after the restart. Ben Camilleri was allowed too much space on the left flank, but twice failed to make the best of it. Hibernians carved out a good opportunity after nine minutes. Hamrun’s clearance on Doffo’s cross fell to Camilleri, whose shot was blocked by Sullivan into a corner.

Sullivan again came to Hamrun’s rescue towards the hour. He palmed out Camilleri’s effort as he tried to connect on Scerri’s cross.

Hibernians laid siege on the Spartans’ fort but the danger of prolonged offensive play is the chance you can always get caught on the break. This was epitomised past the hour as Hamrun won a corner from a split second break and as the Hibernians’ defence failed to clear, the loose ball fell to the unmarked Bratislav Timotic who shot in from close range.

Hibernians were rattled but valiantly summoned enough effort to stride upfield again, putting in Adrian Mifsud for Failla.

Hamrun were forced to substitute the injured Bonnici with Borg as they were made to absorb more of their opponents’ pressure. A Scerri headed effort was cleared off the line.

By now the action was highly entertaining, with chances opening up in either goalmouth.

Effiong played a good ball to the advancing Ryan Fenech, whose low drive was blocked by the grounded Muscat.

Hibernians returned menacing with another Doffo blistering shot which Sullivan held out yet again with a plucky save.

But ten minutes from time there was no denying Hibernians a more than deserved equalizer. As Sullivan parried an insidious cross inside the area, Adrian Mifsud nipped in to shoot beyond the grounded keeper and keep Hibernians’ hopes alive.

Hamrun tended to wilt in the late stages as Hibernians increased their efforts, also putting in Chukunyere, as they raked numerous long balls inside their area. The Spartans’ defence had to work overtime as the Paolites needed a poacher to finish the job. Pulis and Cohen missed the target by inches. Deep into added time, on a last desperate attempt, Pulis’ header on Cohen’s free kick was saved by Sullivan, undoubtedly his side’s hero yesterday.