Hibernians produced a storming second-half fight back as despite being a man down they fought back from two goals down to overcome Sliema Wanderers 3-2 at the National Stadium.
Sliema drew first blood on eight minutes when from a free-kick action, the Hibs defence failed to deal with Pedrinho’s delivery with Alex Muscat lobbing the ball into the path of Andrea Scozzese who beat Henry Bonello from close in.
That was Muscat’s last contribution as on 14 minutes he limped out injured and was replaced by Trevor Cilia.
More woes followed for Hibs as on 18 minutes Rui De Gracia Gomes was shown a straight red card after headbutting Sliema striker Mateus.
Sliema almost doubled their lead in spectacular fashion when Michael Mifsud saw goalkeeper Bonello out of his goal and attempted an audacious lob from half-pitch with the ball flashing just wide.
Hibs suddenly clicked to gear and on 27 minutes Jorginho was denied by a fine one-handed save from Zammit.
Five minutes later, the woodwork saved the Wanderers when from a central free-kick Cohen’s curling drive smacked against the bar.
The Paolites saw more off the ball but the Wanderers remained dangerous on the break and on 58 minutes they made it 2-0.
Scerri’s throughball put Mifsud clear and the Malta striker showed how clinical he can be when he hit a firm drive that gave no chance to Bonello.
Hibs almost pulled a goal back on 66 minutes when Cohen was at the end of Failla’s free-kick but he saw his firm volley palmed away by Zammit.
But Zammit could do nothing two minutes later as he could only watch Bjorn Kristensen’s piledriver flying into the bottom corner of the net to reopen the match.
Hibs looked a rejuvenated lot and on 72 minutes the scores were level when Cohen was brought down in the area by Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Failla drilled the ball home from the spot.
But the Paolites were not finished yet and in time added on the Wanderers failed to deal with Jackson Lima’s cross and in came Cohen who scrambled the ball into the net to send his fans in delirium.
Hibs midfielder Andrew Cohen was voted as the BOV Player of the match.