Hibernians failed to keep the pace with Birkirkara after being held in a goalless draw by Mosta at the National Stadium on Sunday.

A draw which puts the Paolites in fifth place on level points with Floriana, two behind Gzira and Birkirkara. Mosta, on the other hand, earn another precious point in their bid to move to a more comfortable mid-table position.

Hibernians created the better chances, having attempts by Joao Moreira and Jurgen Degabriele and later by Johann Bezzina in the first half. During the second half, the Paolites continued to hold the initiative, going close with efforts by Bezzina, Degabriele and finally by substitute Arlindo but the Mosta rear-guard held on to keep them at bay.

Photo: Copyright © Andrew Grima

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MOSTA Andreas Vella, Leonardo Henrique Ferreira (83′ Zachary Brincat), Massimo Sammartino, Thomas Veronese, Kurt Magro, Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farrugia, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Dexter Xuereb (90+2′ Kyle Frendo), Ivan Maric, Emmanuel Akwa-dei Agyemang.
Subs not used: Andy Attard, Jan Tanti, Neil Frendo, Matthew Attard, Calvin Camilleri, Zachary Brincat.
Coach: Johann Scicluna

HIBS Andrew Hogg, Martin Kreuzriegler, Joseph Mbong Rui da Gracia Gomes (83′ Dunstan Vella), Johann Bezzina (85′ Jackson Lima Siqueira), Clayton Failla, Jurgen Degabriele, Bjorn Kristensen (75′ Arlindo Rodrigues Honório de Oliveira Neto), João Vítor Rocha de Carvalho Moreira,
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, David Xuereb, Timothy Tabone Desira, Conner Zammit.
Coach: Mark Miller

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Etienne Mangion
Yellow Cards: Agius
BOV Player of the Match: Johann Bezzina