Gzira United consolidated their second place in the standings beating Hibernians in a direct clash, and now the Maroons have a five-point lead over the same Hibernians who remain fourth.

It was a deserved victory for the Maroons who had the better ideas in an otherwise low key match.

For Hibernians this was a severe  blow in their quest for a place in europe next season, with the turning point for the champions being the penalty miss for top scorer Juergen Degabriele.

After missing from the spot Hibernians suffered another goal and it was all over for the champions as Gzira dominated the last part of the game, going near a third goal several times.

The match failed top live to its expectations especially in the first half, with practically no efforts at goal. Gzira had more of the ball in the first 25 minutes but Hibernians grew in composure in the last part of the first half.

However the paolites were caught on the wrong foot four minutes from time when Jefferson De Assis dribbled past Kristensen to beat Haber with a low angled drive.

Hibernians stormed forward in the first minutes of the second half and the Gzira rearguard looked shaky. Degabriele missed sitter after a good run by Mensah, and the same Mensah, the best for his side, won a penalty on the hour after he was tripped by Riascos.

However it was not Degabriele’s day as his shot from the penalty spot was saved by Zarkov.

Five minutes later Marcelo Dias did the running on the right serving Jefferson who had no difficulty beating Haber.

It was game over as the Maroons dominated to grab the three important points at stake.

 Photo Jonathan Bugeja