After suffering nineteen defeats in first nineteen matches, bottom-placed St. Andrews collected their first point in the BOV Premier League after holding champions Hibernians in a 2-2 draw.
Hibs struggled to break the deadlock and it was only a penalty which put them ahead. The Saints were quick to level matters through another penalty. A goal on the ninetieth seemed to hand Hibs the three points but St. Andrews have other thoughts, notching the equaliser in stoppage time. For the Paolites, this result is definitely a major disappointment as a win would have put them alone on top the BOV Premier League table and now share the top spot with Valletta who however have a game in hand.
Hibs coach Branko Nisevic could not count on Andrei Agius, Rui da Gracia Gomes, Diosdado Mbele, Marcelo Dias and Jorge da Silva Pereira but this is still no excuse. Edison Luis dos Santos made his comeback after being included as a substitute.
Following a goalless first half, the Paolites took the lead on the 55th when they were warded a penalty after Sorin Oproiescu brought Jurgen Degabriele down inside the area; Clayton Failla made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Two minutes later, Joseph Essien Mbong floored Matteo Desira Buttigieg inside the Hibs area and captain Joseph Farrugia converted for St. Andrews to level matters.
Hibs made it 2-1 on the 90th thanks to a great freekick by Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro which saw the ball hit the upright before ending at the back of the net.
However it was not over yet as two minutes in added time, Joseph Farrugia restored equilibrium when off a cross from the right, he slotted the ball past goalkeeper Rudy Briffa.
ST ANDREWS Jake Galea, Enmy Manuel Pena’ Beltre, Dale Camilleri, Bong Won Che, Jonatan Perez Cuesta, Sorin Oproiescu (90′ Jacob Walker), Matteo Desira Buttigieg (65′ Kyrian Nwoko), Joseph Farrugia, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo, Michel Wisdom Salomon (90′ Michael Johsnon), Eloy Edu Nkene.
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Clyde Cumbo, Liam Grech, Ryan Sammut.
Coach: Josè BorgHIBS Rudy Briffa, Jonathan Pearson (88′ Jean Paul Farrugia), Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Rodolfo Soares, Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Jurgen Degabriele (77′ Denni Rocha dos Santos), Joseph Essien Mbong (59′ Edison Luis Dos Santos), Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro, Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, David Xuereb, Zach Scerri, Dunstan Vella.
Coach: Branko NisevicReferee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Peter Abela
Additional Assistant Referees: Esther Azzopardi, Etienne Mangion
Fourth Official: Sammy Attard
Yellow Cards: Pearson, Gilmar, Soares, Pena Beltre, Oproiescu
Scorers: 56′ Clayton Failla pen, 57′ Joseph Farrugia pen, 90′ Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, 90+2′ Joseph Farrugia
BOV Player of the Match: Jake Galea