Birkirkara made it three wins in a row as they scored twice in the second half to beat Hibernians 2-0 in a match from the 360 Sports Opening Round at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The Stripes, who also managed to maintain a clean sheet for a third successive game, now take sole leadership but Sliema Wanderers and Hamrun Spartans have a game in hand. Hibernians, on the other hand, suffer their first defeat after two wins and a draw.
Hibenians had one change as Jurgen Degabriele replaced Giannis Bastianos. On the other hand, Stefano De Angelis named an unchanged side.
Before the game, Maxuell Samurai was presented with the MVP Award for August.
Early in the game, Maxuell Samurai served on the right had a good shot blocked by Hugo Sacco. A few minutes later, Paul Mbong had a shot from the left ending just wide. Federico Falcone then hit just wide off an inviting cross by Jurgen Degabriele from the right. Just before the edge of the area, Alex Satariano had a shot from outside the area turned into a corner by Sacco.
Birkirkara managed to take the lead on 68 minutes thanks to a Pablo Gaitan header off a clearance by a defender.
Oscar Siafa doubled the score eight minutes from time with a fine rising shot which beat goalkeeper Sacco after receiving an assist by Gaitan who stole the ball off a defender.
Six minutes in added time, Kurt Shaw hit the crossbar with a rising shot from inside the area.
>> Hibernians vs Birkirkara match card