Hibernians dropped another two important points in the race for the championship after being held in a 1-1 draw by Mosta at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday.
This was the third consecutive draw for Stefano Sanderra’s side who now risk ending four points behind Valletta should the Citizens claim maximum points from the derby against Floriana on Sunday.
For Mosta, this was a precious point which enables them to stay in joint-ninth place with Tarxien Rainbows on 23 points, five points ahead of St. Andrews who are currently third from bottom.
Hibernians, who lacked the suspended Newman’s Radojevic and Jake Grech, could have taken the lead on the 6th minute but Marco Sahanek was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a freekick from the left. Then on the 26th minute, it was Juri Cisotti’s turn to go close for Mosta with an angled shot from the left which hit the near post.
On the 40th minute, Hibs took the lead when Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino concluded a good run on the right flank with a fine shot which beat the Mosta goalkeeper.
The Paolites were reduced to ten men three minutes from the end of the first half after Marcelo Dias was sent off for an incident with Davy N’Guessan.
Mosta notched the equaliser on the 90th minute when Tyrone Farrugia’s effort hit the woodwork and off the rebound, substitute James Brincat placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.
HIBS Marko Jovicic, Dunstan Vella, Marcio Barbosa da Silveira, Joseph Mbong, Marcelo Dias, Bjorn Kristensen, Isaac Note (90+2′ Connor Zammit), Taylon Nicolas Correa Marcolino (73′ Timothy Tabone Desira), Marco Sahanek (88′ Andrei Spiteri), Andrei Agius, Tiago Adan Fonseca.
Subs not used: Rudy Briffa, Andreas Vella, Daneel Abela, David Xuereb.
Coach: Stefano Sanderra
Asst. Coach: Ryan PulisMOSTA Andreas Vella, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Gianluca Cuomo, Duane Bonnici, Dexter Xuereb (64′ Zachary Brincat), Rafael Morisco da Silva, Davy Angan N’Guessan, Tyrone Farrugia, Federico Franchini, Akeem Garnet Roach, Juri Cisotti (79′ James Brincat).
Subs not used: Daniel Grima, Luca Gatt, Matthew Attard, Zack Mifsud, Kurt Zammit.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Joseph GrechReferee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, William Debattista
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Farrugia, Kristensen, Franchini, Mbong
Red Cards: 42′ Marcelo Dias
BOV Player of the Match: Taylon Nicolas Correa MarcolinoAttendance: 539