A goal four minutes from time enabled Hibernians to return to winning ways as they defeated Balzan 1-0 at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The Paolites, who lost to Birkirkara, earning a point with Hamrun Spartans in their last two outings, therefore move back on top the BOV Premier League table although Floriana have a game against Sirens in hand. Floriana and Hibernians would then face each other in a direct clash next week.
For Balzan, this defeat condemned them to playing among the bottom six as they suffered the sixth defeat in seven matches. However they should consider themselves unlucky to leave the pitch empty-handed.
Hibs scored the all-important goal four minutes from time when off a cross by Thaylor from the right, Ferdinando Apap beat goalkeeper Vukasin Vranes with a first-time effort.