After claiming maximum points from the first seven matches, leaders Hibernians dropped their first two points in the BOV Premier League when they were held in a 2-2 draw by Sliema Wanderers.
The Paolites went one goal down just before the end of the first half but after the break, they managed to turn the score in their favour. However the Wanderers rescued a deserved point, equalising a few minutes later.
Ryan Camilleri and Zoran Levnajic were missing for Hibernians while Sliema lacked John Mintoff and Pape Gueye.
Sliema had the first attempt at goal with an Abubakar Bello Osagie effort blocked into a corner. Hibernians replied with a cross from the right by Edison Luis dos Santos bit there was no one to connect.
The Blues managed to take the lead on the 44th minute when a Paltemio Barbetti freekick was blocked by the Hibs defence and off the rebound, Trevor Cilia beat Mario Muscat with a diagonal shot from the right.
Hibernians levelled matters on 61 minutes when a Clayton Failla freekcik was partially saved by Bonello, aided by the posts, and off the rebound, Jackson di Lima Siqueira slammed the ball home.
Four minutes later, the Paolites turned the score in their favour when off a Clayton Failla cross from the left, Andrew Cohen headed the ball home.
The Wanderers restored equilibrium on the 78th minute when off a Matias Muchardi freekick, Alex Muscat hit the ball home past Muscat.
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
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HIBS Mario Muscat, Matthew Bartolo, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (69′ Jean Paul Farrugia), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Clayton Failla, Edison Luis dos Santos, Obinna Obiefule.
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Matthew Tabone, Scott Chircop, Johann Bezzina, Brandon Muscat, Ayrton Azzopardi.
Coach: Branko NisevicSLIEMA Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, Mark Scerri, Stanley Ohawuchi, Abubakar Bello-Osagie (87′ Andrea Navarra), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Trevor Cilia (70′ Ivan Woods), Paltemio Barbetti, Matias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: Glenn Zammit, Gabriel Aquilina, Axl Xuereb, Dylan Borg, Beppe Muscat.
Coach: Alfonso GrecoReferee: Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant referees: Mitchell Scerri, Thomas Debono
Additional Assistant Referees: Chris Lautier, Trustin Farrugia Cann
Fourth official: Kevin Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Scerri, Barbetti, Dias, Cilia, Tarabai, Jackson Lima, Navarra
Scorers: 44′ Trevor Cilia (S); 61′ Jackson di Lima Siqueira (H), 65′ Andrew Cohen (H); 78′ Alex Muscat (S)
BOV Player of the Match: Jackson di Lima Siqueira
Attendance: 716