Hibernians maintained their two-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after finishing a scoreless draw against second-placed and title contenders Floriana.

The match was completely different from their clash a couple of weeks ago in which Hibernians demolished their opponents to go on top of the standings. The result can still be considered as an important one for Hibernians who with three matches to go maintain that two-goal cushion which might be vital at the end.

The match was very tactical, too cagey at times with both teams very erratic. The pressure not to lose ground in this direct clash hindered both sets and certainly the spectacle offered to the good crowd present, could and should have been much better.

Hibernians were without the suspended Dunstan Vella with Sanderra playing Dos Anjos and Da Costa instead of Vella and Zachary Grech.

Atzori made four changes to the side leaving Keqi, Cassar, Hovsepyan, and Arias out, and giving a start to Paiber, Reid, Garcia and Rutjens. Both sides were coming from defeats in their last outing, with the Greens coming from two consecutive ones.

Very few scoring chances throughout the ninety minutes with Kitanov making a brilliant save off Aldama on nine minutes. Two minutes later at the other end Ciolacu hit the side netting.

On 25 minutes a Kitanov blunder who incredibly served Degabriele who shot towards goal but Callegari came to the Greens’ rescue deflecting away a certain goal. On the half hour Jake Grech served Da Costa who saw his shot going slightly wide off the far post.

In the second half shots at goal were even rarer even though Floriana increased the pressure in the last quarter of the match. Five minutes from time Andrei Agius did put the ball at the back of the net but his goal was disallowed for a millimetric offside position.

Deep in stoppage substitute Hovsepyan almost snatched a winner for Floriana when his shot caught Kone out of position, but the ball just missed the target.

 Photo Jonathan Bugeja