BIRKIRKARA-1, HIBERNIANS-1
Andrei Agius scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Hibs came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with second-placed Birkirkara.
The Paolites, 15 points clear at the top, looked to be heading towards their first defeat of the season after Nikola Vukanac fired Birkirkara ahead 16 minutes from time but the Premier League leaders profited from Alejandro Mendoza's late sending-off to save a point that kept them on course to win the title.
A generally dull first half produced few scoring chances as the defenders were on top.
After a quiet opening, Birkirkara protested for a penalty when Shola Shodiya Haruna appeared to have been brought down by Rodolfo Soares as the Nigerian moved to meet Zach Muscat's cross from the right but referee Trustin Farrugia Cann was unmoved.
On 20 minutes, Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza, who has been strongly linked with a move away from Birkirkara this month, stood his ground as he blocked a potentially menacing run by Jorginho.
With the two teams opting for caution, scoring chances were rare for much of the opening half-hour.
The Stripes felt that they should have been awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box when Jonathan Pearson appeared to barge into Muscat as the latter was about to shoot but the match officials saw nothing untoward.
Five minutes from half-time, Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, saved Clayton Failla's cross-shot.
A quick one-two between Ledesma and Haruna saw the latter racing into the box from the left but his low cross was cut out by Andrei Agius.
Ryan Camenzuli, Birkirkara's left-back, lifted his shot over the bar in the early stages of the second half.
Subdued for most of the first half, Jorginho and Edison finally put some pressure on the Birkirkara defenders. For once, the Stripes failed to cut out a long ball from midfield and Jorginho turned before freeing Edison who was dispossessed by Vukanac's strong tackle, Hibs appealed for a penalty but referee Trustin Farrugia Cann waved play on.
Hibs had another opportunity when Jorginho held off the challenge of Mendoza before firing a ferocious grounder but Haber pushed the ball away for a corner.
The game came to life. Jorginiho set up Edison 'Tarabai' but his effort was off target.
It was then Birkirkara's turn to create a good move. Camenzuli advanced on the left before sending in a low pass that was touched in by Scicluna but Haruna, dashing in through the middle, miscued his effort.
Midway intro the second half, Haruna powerrted his way past Mbong and pulled the ball for Camenzuli whose firm shot was deflected away for a corner.
Ledesma sent his cross towards the near post but Scicluna could only fire the ball against the side-netting.
When Mendoza surrendered possession deep in his own half, danger loomed for Birkirkara as Edison sprinted towards the box but the Brazilian was tripped by the Spanish defender who was booked.
Failla's free-kick came off the defensive wall with the ball swirling towards Jorginho whose central header was blocked by Haber. Birkirkara quickly transferred the ball forward with Ledesma powering into the box but the back-tracking Mbong cleared the ball away for a corner.
Ledesma again took the corner, hitting a teasing cross that triggered a goalmouth melee and Vukanac was on hand to volley the ball past Henry Bonello to the unrestrained joy of the Birkirkara fans.
Five minutes from time, Cohen went close to an equaliser but his free-kick cannoned off the crossbar. The leaders regrouped.
Cohen's free-kick was met by Lima but his header was wide.
In stoppage time, Birkirkara were reduced to 10 men after Mendoza was shown a second booking for fisting the ball away from the advancing Jorginho. Cohen stepped up for the free-kick as goalkeeper Bonello sprinted upfield.
The tactic worked as Bonello's presence unnerved Birkirkara and Andrei Agius met Cohen's cross with a downward header that had the better of Haber to send the Hibs fans into raptures.
Vukanac was named BOV player of the match.