Leaders Hibs dropped more points as they had to settle for their second consecutive draw, this time against Mosta.

 

While the Paolites failed to win for only the sixth time this season, they still managed to keep a comfortable lead at the top of the standings.

 

Ħamrun Spartans’s draw with Balzan and with Floriana only in action today against Birkirkara meant that the Paolites moved seven points clear of the pack.

 

Mosta deserved the point for endeavour as they snuffed out their opponents’ attacking threat.

 

It took Hibs a while to settle but eventually, they started to threaten. A superb through ball from Wilfred Domoraud led to the first major incident of the first half.

 

Jurgen Degabriele picked up the ball from the French striker and pulled it back for Jake Grech to shoot low. Ini Akpan appeared to handle it as he dived to his right to stop Grech’s strike. But the rebound was deflected into the path of Ayrton Attard who hit the ball high.

 

The Hibs midfielder redeemed himself immediately smashing the ball into the net on 14 minutes. Rodriguez Ekani blocked Leandro Almeida’s effort but Attard had time to power the rebound past the Cameroonian defender on the line.

 

Dennis Antwi thought he had restored parity on 18 minutes when he controlled the ball inside the area and fired home.

 

At first, referee Emanuel Grech awarded the goal to Mosta but he then quickly reversed his initial decision after consulting with assistant referee Thomas Debono as they judged that the forward had handled the ball.

 

But Antwi’s direct running was giving Leandro Almeida a torrid time. Having already been booked, the Brazilian defender escaped another booking after hauling down the Ghanaian striker and was immediately substituted.

 

Antwi was not to be denied after the break when a superb cross from Zachary Brincat fell in between Ferdinando Apap and Andrei Agius, allowing the Mosta striker to head the ball home.

 

The goal clearly rattled the leaders but they almost responded instantly.

 

Degabriele’s corner bounced dangerously across the face of goal. Apap’s header hit Raul Fernandes but Mosta were still unable to clear. Akpan pulled off a good save from Matthew Ellul’s header.

 

Hibs continued to press as Erjon Beu saw a strike tipped over the bar by Akpan.

 

Although the game in the second half drifted toward the stalemate, there was still time for the Paolites to create another scoring opportunity.

 

An almighty scramble saw an Agius shot blocked by Akpan but Rafael Morisco threw himself in front of another Hibs shot on goal as the stalemate prevailed.

 

Sportsdesk – Paul Cachia