For large part of a fairly sterile encounter, Hibernians dominated but failed to claim maximum points their second half dominance richly deserved. They contrived to miss two penalties and three times they were denied by the woodwork. Equally significant was the superlative goalkeeping of Kris Calleja, who frustrated Hibernians time after time.

Mqabba put plenty of effort and had sufficient resilience to account for their opponents as they bowed out of the Premier League with dignity.

Bereft of any pressure, the players could express themselves freely. Both coaches fielded understrength sides, including some young and new faces for their last game of the season.

Before the match was a quarter of an hour old, Hibernians could have been two up. Their youngster Bronwen Bugeja caught the eye with his running and ball control. It was he who tested keeper Calleja’s reflexes with a powerful shot forcing the Mqabba shot stopper into a spectacular save.

On the quarter hour, Calleja tripped Scerri inside the area to concede a penalty, but the Hibernians striker shot feebly and the keeper stretched himself to save.

Calleja again denied Scerri, holding out his firm header, before Mqabba forged ahead against the run of play on the half hour. Pereira ran clear on the left and crossed low for Marlon Briffa to beat keeper Balzan with a diagonal shot.

Still Hibernians remained the more potent in attack as Mqabba relied on their defensive capabilities. Shortly before the break the Paolites were denied an equaliser by the woodwork, holding out Fleri Soler’s thumping header on a Doffo corner.

Hibernians kept attacking gamely after the restart, even putting in Cohen for Pearson. But they still lacked the slightest hint of penetration.

Despite all their possession, they looked unlikely to score, but were given a lifeline on 70 minutes. They were awarded a penalty for Galea’s handling inside area and Pablo Doffo had his shot from the spot saved superbly by Calleja, only for the Argentine midfielder to blast in the rebound.

Shortly after, Mqabba fluffed the half’s best opportunity. Navarro sent a teasing cross from the right for the unmarked Briffa who hoisted the ball in front of goal.

Hibernians could have also won the game as they went close on other occasions. On 77 minutes Cohen sent a well judged pass, after a good run on the right, to substitute Inguanez, who shot against the bar. Hardly two minutes later, the same Hibernians youngster clipped the bar, again on another Cohen through ball.

And before the game was up, Inguanez tested Calleja with a low drive, but the Mqabba custodian was equal to task to preserve a prestigious draw.

* * *

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, A. Busuttil, I. Nogueira (J. Fenech), M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa, F. Silva (J. Mintoff) (R. Briffa), M. Pereira, M. Cocks, L. Galea, E. Navarro

Hibernians: D. Balzan, T. Fleri Soler, J. Caruana, J. Xerri, C. Failla, J. Pearson (A. Cohen), E. Agius, P. Doffo, T. Caruana (G. Inguanez), T. Scerri, B. Bugeja (A. Xuereb)

Referee: C. Pisani asst.refs: M. Debono, M. Mercieca 4th official: Ms E. Azzopardi

Scorers: M. Briffa, P. Doffo

Player of the match: Kris Calleja (Mqabba)

TMI top three: 1. K. Calleja 2. C. Failla 3. A. Busuttil