Tarxien Rainbows, down to ten men for more than half an hour, failed to capitalise on Valletta’s slip on Saturday as they were beaten in the derby against neighbours Hibernians after putting up an inept display.

Although only their third success this season, Hibernians won convincingly as the side was more flamboyant than usual. The Paolites had a determination to take the play to their opponents and Andrew Cohen, who scored the opening goal for the first time since last October, was with Paul McManus in a pleasing partnership in attack.

While Tarxien kept the same starting eleven who beat Floriana the previous week, Hibernians made only one change from the side who lost to Qormi, with Steve Pisani making way for Aaron Xuereb. Mat Clarke was not even included in their squad.

The Paolites made the more assertive start and raked several crosses from their wide players Herrera and Fairbairn, pinning their opponents inside their own half.

But Tarxien nearly went in front on their first genuine attack midway through the half. Rodriguez foraged through their defence. His low drive was turned into a corner by keeper Muscat.

A minute later Rodriguez’s shot hit the underside of the bar and Calabretta’s shot from the rebound was blocked by Ryan Camilleri on the line.

On the other end, McManus failed to connect on Herrera’s cross and on 35 minutes Hart’s grounder hit the foot of the Tarxien post with keeper Cassar hooked to his line.

Then Hibernians again went close when Mc Manus headed Cohen’s cross slightly over the bar.

Hibernians converted their chances more ruthlessly into goals in the second period.

On 49 minutes McManus played a long ball from the left for Andrew Cohen to run in and lobe over the onrushing Tarxien keeper.

Five minutes later, Hart thumped his shot against the bar, the ball fell to Edward Herrera who blasted it in past the grounded Cassar.

Bueno protested with assistant referee Spiteri for an offside and appeared to slap Hibernians defender Xuereb on the face as he involved himself in the incident. Both players were cautioned but on the assistant’s advice, referee Arciola showed Bueno a straight red card.

Down to ten men and trailing by two goals, Tarxien looked unable to pull themselves back in the game, even because Hibernians kept carving several scoring opportunities as they dominated the proceedings. Keeper Cassar held out Fairbairn’s shot and on a McManus cross, Cohen headed wide. McManus himself failed to put Cohen’s cross on target minutes later.

But as Hibernians looked moving towards a comfortable win, Tarxien surprisingly pulled one back with four minutes remaining. Keeper Muscat failed to hold substitute Tanti’s free kick and Cristiano Rodriguez headed in from close range.

But the Paolites were not to be denied. Hardly a minute later, Brian Fairbairn restored a two-goal lead with a rasping shot from the left, that beat keeper Cassar at the top corner on Cohen’s pass. And Cassar even saved Tarxien from further derision as he blocked Herrera in the late stages with Hibernians finishing on top.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, M. Gauci, A. Xuereb, J. Pearson, P. Osei, R. Hart, A. Cohen, B. Fairbairn, E. Herrera (M. Tabone), P. McManus (S. Pisani)

Coach: M. Miller

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, S. Sadowski (R. Mintoff), M. Caruana, E. Pereira, G. Calabretta (M. Tanti), C. Rodriguez, S. Pacheco, D. Bueno, O. Anonam, L. Galea, J. Grioli (J. Vella)

Coach: N. Coleiro

Referee: A. Arciola

Asst. refs: E. Spiteri, W. Debattista

4th official: K. Azzopardi

Scorers: A. Cohen 49, E. Herrera 54, C. Rodriguez 86, B. Fairbairn 87

Yellow cards: D. Bueno, A. Xuereb, J. Vella

Red card: D. Bueno

Player of the match: E. Herrera (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. E. Herrera 2. C. Rodriguez 3. A. Cohen

Attendance: 1,767