Hibernians bounced back from the defeat to Valletta in their last league outing as they registered a 2-1 win over Pembroke Athleta to re-join the Citizens on top although the latter have a game in hand.

For Pembroke, this was the third defeat in four matches, leaving them fourth from bottom.

Hibernians welcomed back Andrei Agius but lacked Jorge Pereira da Silva while Rudy Briffa started in goal. Pembroke, on the other hand, had Manolito Micallef and Terence Agius making his debut, with the latter being included as a substitute. Leighton Grech was ruled out injured.

Hibs took the lead on the 4th minute when off a cross by Clayton Failla from the left, Jorge Santos Silva headed home from close range.

The Paolites could have doubled the score on the 9th minute when Gilmar was brought down inside the area by Levnajic but Clayton Failla hit high from the penalty spot.

Pembroke levelled matters just before half-time thanks to Siraj Arab Eddin whose low shot from outside the area gave goalkeeper Rudy Briffa no chance.

Three minutes in the second half, Hibernians regained the lead when off a cross by Failla from the left, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro’s low shot beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

On the 55th, Pembroke could have equalised when they were awarded a penalty after Cohen floored Gustavo Villalobos but the same player hit wide from the penalty spot.

Eight minutes from time, Villalobos was unlucky to hit the upright with a shot from the right following an assist by Laudisi.

PEMBROKE Mario Muscat, Alex Cini, Paltemio Barbetti, Zoran Levnajic, Manolito Micallef, Kyle O’Brien, Siraj Arab Eddin (71′ Terence Agius), Ariel Laudisi, Patmore Shereni, Gustavo Villalobos, James Togbah (57′ Owen Bugeja).
Subs not used: Matthew Farrugia, Rennie Tanti, Miguel Attard, Tyron Fenech, Geoffrey Spiteri.
Coach: Winston Muscat

HIBS Rudy Briffa, Rui da Gracia Gomes (44′ Rodolfo Soares), Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Marcelo Dias, Andrew Cohen (80′ Jean Paul Farrugia), Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Jurgen Degabriele (68′ Denni Rocha dos Santos), Andrei Agius, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Zach Scerri, Joseph Essien Mbong, Jonathan Pearson.
Coach: Branko Nisevic

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Sammy Attard
Assistant Referees: Philip Farrugia, Sandro Spiteri
Fourth Official: Chris Francalanza
Yellow Cards: S. Arab, Gilmar, B. Kristensen, T. Agius
Scorers: 4′ Jorge Santos Silva, 45′ Siraj Arab, 48′ Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro
BOV Player of the Match: Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro