Hibernians remain marooned in the doldrums. Yesterday they succumbed to their second consecutive defeat, beaten by newly promoted side Vittoriosa Stars, to remain winless in five matches.

Hibernians were bereft of their two suspended players, Adrian Pulis and Zoran Levnaic but that is no excuse for yet another below par performance that keeps them second from last.

Vittoriosa capitilised on their opponents’ woes of late – their play lacking the invention, pace and penetration to break down opposing defences – taking the lead through an own goal at the start of the second half and then hitting the second with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Vittoriosa were also missing the services of Pierre Aquilina, with Carl Sammut deputising in defence.

Their first league win, after a draw in their previous match, has them collecting important points at last.

The only noteworthy episode of an utterly unremarkable first half was the missed penalty after 20 minutes, awarded to Hibernians when the referee saw an infringement inside the Vittoriosa area on a deep Caruana free kick. But Cohen incredulously fired the shot over the bar.

That sapped all of the Paolites’ brittle confidence as they went on to miss a couple of other chances against a resolute Vittoriosa side, which grew in confidence.

McManus hit horrendously wide on a Tabone cross and when McManus headed down Farrugia’s cross, Cohen shot feebly on the keeper. Before the half hour, Caruana’s shot was palmed out by keeper Agius and Wellman cleared into a corner.

Vittoriosa showed up with two efforts from Compagnoli, both shots from the edge of the area, which keeper Muscat saved well.

But hardly one minute into the second half, Vittoriosa forged ahead. Following his surging run down the right flank, Grech crossed low, Clarke tried to clear, but the ball took a deflection off Tabone and went in.

Hibernians were rattled. Keeper Muscat again had to stretch himself to hold out Compagnoli’s pile driver. And on 55 minutes, Ewurum turned past Pearson. His goal bound effort was repelled superbly by Muscat.

Hibernians tried to counter but their build-ups were too predictable. Cohen picked a Vittoriosa clearance and crossed, but Chetcuti headed away the danger.

On 71 minutes Silva went past Pearson inside the area but his squeezed shot was saved by Muscat. Pearson was injured and had to be replaced by Xuereb.

The Hibernians rearguard was being turned at will by the fast pace of Grech, Ewurum and Silva. The latter’s penetrating run inside the area, brought Vittoriosa’s second goal on 73 minutes. His low inviting cross from the left beat Clarke and Anthony Ewurum nipped in to strike low past the helpless Muscat.

That goal sealed Hibernians’ fate, as late efforts by McManus and Tabone were saved by keeper Agius. The Vittoriosa keeper also denied Farrugia a consolation goal, footing out his close effort deep into added time.

Vittoriosa S: S. Agius, C. Sammut, S. Pace, J. Chetcuti, C. Compagnoli, D. Cachia, K. Mifsud, J. Santos Silva (J. Spiteri), A. Ewurum, S. Wellman, L. Grech (C. Micallef)

Coach: W. Muscat

Hibernians: M. Muscat, M. Tabone, M. Gauci, M. Clarke, J. Pearson (A. Attard), R. Hart (B. Kristenssen), P. McManus, A. Cohen (S. Pisani), E. Herrera, T. Caruana, J.P. Farrugia

Coach

M. Miller

Referee

T. Farrugia Cann

Asst.refs

I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri

4th official

A. Azzopardi

Scorers

M. Gauci 46 og, A. Ewurum 73

Yellow cards

D. Cachia, J. Chetcuti, C. Sammut

Player of the match

C. Compagnoli (Vittoriosa S)

TMI Top 3

1. J. Silva 2. C. Compagnoli 3. M. Muscat