Hibernians scored a last gasp winner against Balzan, to grab three precious points and move temporarily to second place in the standings.

All the drama came in the final quarter of the match, in an otherwise dull encounter.

Struggling Balzan without two pillars of the team, namely Paul Fenech and Uros Ljubomirac, both suspended, not to mention coach Mark Miller who was also suspended, defended for long stretches without suffering mush Hibernians’ sterile pressure.

On their part Hibernians had captain Bjorn Kristensen suspended, but played a rather low profile match.

Coming from the defeat against Birkirkara in their last outing, the Paolites failed to impress and practically had no scoring chances in the first seventy minutes of the match.

This result leaves Balzan in very troubled waters as they are now fully involved in the relegation struggle which is promising to be a very tight contest in the second part of the season.

Although having long possession of the ball Hibernians never had a glimpse of goal in the first half.

On 13 minutes Teixeira served Jurgen Degabriele who shot slightly over the bar. On the half hour a Shola Shodiya effort went wide.

In the second half Hibernians were more determined with Balzan too much on the defensive.

On 51 minutes Degbriela served Artiles whose grounder just missed the base of the upright.

Nothing happened till the 71st minute when Hibernians, almost unexpectedly broke the deadlock.

A good move on the left between Artiles and Jake Grech, with the latter’s low pass finding Dunstan Vella practically on the penalty spot, with the midfielder firing at the back of the net.

Three minutes later Hibernians were unlucky not to close the match when Andrei Agius’ freekick smashed against the crossbar.

On 76 minutes another Hibernians move with Degabriele’s shot on the turn going over the bar.

Balzan threw everything in attack but Calleja Cremona was never tested.

However on 90 minutes Balzan drew level from a corner action, substitute Steve Bezzina headed beautifully home.

Now it was Hibernians’ turn to throw everything in attack and on 93 minutes from a corner action it was substitute Ayrton Attard who had the final touch to give Hibernians three valuable points.  

Photo: James Galea