Understrength Hibernians won their third Relegation Pool match on the trot to make mathematically sure of salvation with a round still to go.

Although Mqabba managed to cancel out a two-goal deficit, both from early penalties, by halftime, they conceded two goals early after resumption and never recovered. Mqabba’s salvation looks a distant prospect now.

Hibernians fielded a makeshift team, resting Muscat, Caruana, Edafe, Doffo and Cohen in view of their forthcoming U*BET Trophy match against Valletta.

Thirteen minutes had elapsed before the Paolites were able to fashion a chance which earned them a penalty and the first goal. Mifsud raced in for Scerri’s through pass and fell under keeper Calleja’s challenge. Defender Aaron Xuereb stepped up to beat the Mqabba keeper from the spot.

Hardly five minutes later, Hibernians were again awarded another penalty, this time for Nogueira’s handling inside the area. Terence Scerri sent the keeper the wrong way to give Hibernians an early double lead.

But within two minutes Mqabba pulled one back. Marcelo Pereira ran through the Hibernians’ defence to beat keeper Camilleri and reduce the deficit.

Hibernians tried to impose themselves on their opponents but despite their flowing football and better passing, they were unable to breach Mqabba’s defence with open play.

Past the half hour, Cocks headed the ball into a corner before Chukunyere could connect on a Fish free kick.

But gradually Mqabba started to work their way into accendency. Bonnici’s low shot ran narrowly wide, before Mqabba drew level on 38 minutes. Mintoff started the run on the right, passed towards the middle to Pareira, who avoided an opponent before Marlon Briffa darted in to shoot in the loose ball.

That galvanised Mqabba and before the interval, Busuttil clipped the foot of the near post with his weighted free kick from the left.

However Mqabba were undone with two goals within five minutes of the second half. Hibernians went in front again with an Aaron Xuereb header on a Failla corner and then Terence Scerri took the ball in his stride, advanced from midfield before beating keeper with a low drive.

Mqabba never recovered as Hibernians kept their grip on the game without breaking sweat. And always looking dangerous on the break, the Paolites were good value for their advantage.

For long periods the ball twitched between players from both sides, as if it did not want to send any uninterrupted time, in the possession of any one side. Mqabba hardly ever ventured inside Hibernians’ area.

Agius twice went close with shots from a distance by the time Hibernians effected all three substitutions and towards the end they were moving the ball between them in neat triangles, saving their energy for sterner tests ahead.