HIBERNIANS-1, BIRKIRKARA-1
Title candidates Birkirkara and Hibs traded goals in a dramatic finale to take a point apiece after the top-of-the-table clash ended 1-1 at the National Stadium.
The early dismissal of Birkirkara defender Alejandro Mendoza set the tone for a match marked by refereeing controversy as Hibs netted their equaliser from a penalty that was strongly disputed by the Stripes and, in the final seconds, the leaders were reduced to nine men after Paul Fenech was shown a straight red card.
After standing firm with 10 men for much of the game before taking a late lead, Birkirkara felt hard done by the late events as the draw prevented them from opening a five-point lead at the top with only three games remaining.
The draw means that Birkirkara remain two points clear of Hibs with Valletta a further five points down.
Birkirkara made a promising start. Just two minutes from the start of the game had passed when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza advanced into the box after trading passes with Jhonnattann but his central shot was beaten away by Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper.
Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, was also called into action to push away Andrew Cohen's swerving cross from a free-kick.
The Stripes' early optimism suffered a setback when, on 11 minutes, they were reduced to 10 men after Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza was shown a straight red card for bringing down the goalbound Luis Edison on the edge of the box.
Andrew Cohen's free-kick was saved by Haber.
Hibs pressed forward as they tried to make their numerical advantage count but they were denied by Haber who saved a grounder by Tarabai, after the latter had been released by Cohen, and another effort from Dias.
Despite being down to 10 men, Birkirkara were coping well with Hibs' pressure, Not only that but they threatened to forge ahead on 31 minutes when Edward Herrera made a surging run on the right before crossing towards the near post where Jhonnattann hit the ball well but his half-volley was wide.
Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, then blocked Failla's long-range free-kick.
Ten minutes from half-time, Muscat beat away a dangerous set-piece cross from Jhonnattann before Nikola Vukanac could head the ball.
Bjorn Kristensen's volley from outside the box flew wide but scoring chances remained few and far between.
Brazilian midfielder Jackson Lima, who replaced Dias at the start of the second half, unleashed a powerful shot from the distance which ended wide of the far post.
Lima threatened again, this time with a rising shot from outside the penalty area which flew over the bar.
At the other end, Vukanac hit inches wide after connecting with Jhonnattann's corner.
Close to the hour, Hibs had a great chance to forge ahead when Farrugia sprinted into the box from the right but his strike was pushed away by the alert Haber. The loose ball rolled towards Tarabai who blasted over.
For much of the second half, the spirited Stripes frustrated Hibs before the game sprang to life in the dying stages.
With two minutes remaining, Hibs defender Rodolfo Soares was sent off after earning a second yellow card for a foul on Fenech.
Pereira's free-kick was off target but, in the first minute of stoppage time, Birkirkara scored. Hibs were again caught on the wrong foot as Birkirkara mounted a quick breakaway. Haruna passed to Fenech whose strong shot was pawed away by Muscat but Haruna fired home from the rebound.
Birkirkara thought they had secured the points but it was not to be as Hibs won a penalty after Vukanac was adjudged to have pulled down Obinna Obiefule inside the box, to the frustration of the Birkirkara players and fans.
Failla kept his cool as he rifled his penalty shot past Haber.
To make matters worse for Birkirkara, they finished the match with nine men after Fenech was dismissed for a late challenge on Failla.
Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, was voted BOV player of the match.