Hibernians 3
Mosta 2

Roderick Baldacchino was the toast of the town yesterday when he came off the bench to score the all-important goal that gave Hibernians three hard-earned points over a battling Mosta side at Corradino.

Baldacchino's contribution was priceless. His winner gave Hibs the victory and sole leadership in the Premier League standings with a three-point advantage over Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara. But, more importantly, the success was a psychological boost for the Paolites who next Saturday face Birkirkara in a top-of-the-table clash.

It was a dramatic finish to a match which could have gone either way.

Mosta seemed well on course to create an upset when they twice took the lead in the opening 45 minutes.

However, after the break, Hibernians' grit and determination came to the fore and after restoring equilibrium for the second time with an Adrian Pulis goal, they kept pushing forward and their efforts were rewarded with that stoppage time winner that kept them firmly on course to starting the second phase of the championship on top.

On the other hand, Mosta must have felt unlucky to have left Hibs' home ground empty-handed as they clearly deserved at least a point after one of their best showings so far this season.

Mosta may be out of the running for a place in the Championship Pool, but if Charles Agius' team keeps showing this kind of determined play they are bound to offer a strong challenge to the other fellow Relegation Pool strugglers to keep their place in the top flight.

Hibernians coach Robert Gatt was boosted by the return of Essien Mbong but Peter Pullicino failed to recover from injury. Clayton Failla was not 100 per cent fit and was only named among the substitutes.

Agius, the Mosta coach, had to contend with the absence of Miroljub Spasic but otherwise he had a full squad to rely on.

It took Mosta only seven minutes to open the score. Udo Nwoko fed Matthew Bartolo who sent a teasing cross towards Ikechukwu Chibueze. The Nigerian's first attempt was blocked but he made no mistake from the rebound as his rasping drive gave Mario Muscat no chance.

Hibernians came back strongly and almost drew level but Mbong's header was palmed away by the diving Matthew Farrugia and in the same action Terence Scerri's shot was cleared off the line by Bartolo.

The Paolites were not to be denied though and on 10 minutes they were back on level terms. They won a free-kick on the left, taken by Andrew Cohen, and in came Haruna Doda who headed powerfully past Farrugia.

On 18 minutes, Cohen was again the provider, this time from a corner, but Aaron Xuereb headed just over.

Midway through the half, Mosta threatened again. In a swift break Dyson Falzon sped through before passing the ball to Chibueze. Bartolo was the next Mosta player to receive the ball but he hit wide.

Mosta were now applying all the pressure and on 28 minutes Falzon's curling free-kick was punched away by Muscat.

Hibs' response failed to arrive and it was Mosta who deservedly took the lead. It was again the influential Falzon in another swift attack who put Chibueze clear with a clever pass and the Nigerian forward fired home past Muscat.

After this goal, Gatt effected his first substitution when replacing Ben Camilleri with Kenneth Spiteri.

Xuereb was then dangerous from a set piece on 40 minutes when his header from a Cohen corner again finished just over.

After the break, Hibernians laid siege on the Mosta defence in search of an early equaliser and their objective was reached inside the opening four minutes. From a Cohen corner Pulis was first on the ball to head home and make it two-all.

Boosted by this goal Hibernians insisted in attack but for all their possession they rarely tested Farrugia in the Mosta goal. Cohen went agonisingly close to put Hibs in the lead on 64 minutes but his free-kick skimmed the upright.

At the other end, Muscat had to dive full stretch to keep out Digger Okonkwo's header in the 67th minute.

The Hibernians goalkeeper again distinguished himself with another acrobatic save 15 minutes from time this time on Okonkwo's piledriver.

On 79 minutes Cohen sent an inviting cross in the area but Scerri and Doda failed to connect. A minute later, Pulis was again first on a Cohen corner but Farrugia did well to parry the header.

Three minutes from time Gatt roped in Baldacchino in lieu of the tiring Doda.

The move turned out to be the trump card for the Paolites as the veteran substitute went on to net the winner in stoppage time.

Hibernians won a free-kick outside the Mosta box. Cohen took the kick and Baldacchino rammed the ball home to send the Paola fans in a delirium of joy and the team three points clear at the top.

Hibernians: M. Muscat-7, A. Pulis-7, A. Xuereb-6, E. Mbong-6, T. Scerri-6, A. Cohen-7.5, J. Vella-6, E. Agius-6 ('80 C. Failla), B. Camilleri-5 ('33 K. Spiteri-6), D. Camilleri-6, H. Doda-5.5 ('87 R. Baldacchino).

Mosta: M. Farrugia-6, P. Sciriha-6, D. Okonkwo-6.5, M. Bartolo-7, J. Caruana-6, I. Chibueze-7.5, U. Nwoko-6.5, D. Falzon-7.5, P. Camilleri-6, C. Attard-6 ('90 I. Bilocca), R. Newell-6.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Scorers: Chibueze 7, 31; Doda 10, Pulis 49, Baldacchino 90.

Yellow Cards: Camilleri, Mbong, Chibueze, Pulis, Agius, Spiteri, Okonkwo.

BoV Player of the Match: Ikechukwu Chibueze (Mosta).