No changes at the top of the Premier League as Birkirkara and Hibernians battled it out in an exciting 1-1 draw. It was a fair result as both sides gave their all and confirmed that they are the best two teams so far this season.

Hibernians had a better start but the Stripes settled down and even took the lead with a controversial penalty. Hibernians managed to get the equaliser at the start of the second half and from then onwards the match was real nail biting affair with both sides trying unsuccessfully to snatch the winner.

Hibernians had some good scoring opportunities in the opening stages of the match. Inside the first five minutes Domoraud had a good run on the right with his shot just missing the base of the upright.

Minutes later it was Jurgen Degabriel who had a shot going wided and on 23 minutes a good Jake Grech move with his deflected shot just sailing over the bar.

In the second part of the first half Birkirkara started to get more in the game and were unlucky when an Andrei Agius header in an attempt to clear finished against the base of the upright, with the ball rabounding off the goalkeeper and again hitting the upright.

On 42 minutes Birkirkara were awarded a highly debatable penalty when the ball appeared to hit Andrei Agius' arm, with referee Barbara, very close to the action, awarding the penalty. From the penalty spot Luke Montebello fired home.

Two minutes into the second half Hibernians drew level when from a corener action, Almeida was completely unmarked on the far post as he fired in the roof of the net. Tyhe match was now an open contest with both sides playing some good football and creating good scoring chances.

 Photo: Domenic Aquilina