Birkirkara and Hibernians fought out an entertaining goalless draw that all but ended the Stripes’ hopes of leapfrogging Valletta to the runners-up spot this season.

On six minutes Birkirkara were awarded a free-kick and Mattheus Bissi hit a stinging drive forcing a fine diving save from Borg.

Hibs’ response arrived from another set-piece situation with Clayton Failla’s delivery met by Marcelo Dias but his downward header just missing the upright.

On 27 minutes, Hibs protested vehemently when Joseph Zerafa, who had already been booked, pulled back Dias but the referee was unmoved and only awarded a foul to the Paolites.

The match continued to be evenly balanced and we had to wait two minutes from the break when Ledesma’s throughball put Ryan Scicluna clear but the Birkirkara midfielder was anticipated by the onrushing Borg.

Birkirkara continued where they left off after the restart and inside the first minute Scicluna powered past two opponents before hitting a fierce drive that was pushed over by Borg.

On 64 minutes, the woodwork denied Birkirkara from an opener as in a swift raid Bissi powered forward and he ably found Camenzuli on the left channel and the Stripes winger saw his swerving drive crash against the upright with Borg beaten.

Hibs looked to be struggling to contain Birkirkara and on 69 minutes Kristensen came to his team’s rescue when he cleared off the line Nikola Vukanac’s header after the Birkirkara defender was set up by Mauricio Latini Mazzetti.

Hibs finally threatened nine minutes from time when Failla’s long-range shot flew past the upright.

The Paolites almost won it two minutes from time when Jonathan Pearson hit a fierce drive from the edge of the area which forced a fine save from Hamzabegovic.

Birkirkara winger Ryan Camenzuli was voted as the BOV Player of the match.