St Andrew’s have picked up their first league point of the season when they surprisingly held champions Hibernians in a 2-2 draw at the Tedesco Stadium.

The Paolites made all the early running and their first attempt at goal arrived on six minutes. They were awarded a central free-kick from which Jackson Lima’s curling drive flashed wide.

Hibs should have taken the lead on 22 minutes when Jurgen Degabriele sped into the area, rounded goalkeeper Jake Galea but his shot was deflected off target by Sorin Oproiescu.

The Paolites continued to pile up the pressure and eight minutes from the break Kristensen released Degabriele whose rising shot just missed the bar.

Hibs took the lead on 56 minutes when Jurgen Degabriele was brought down in the area by Sorin Opriescu with referee Malcolm Spiteri pointed to the spot.
Failla stepped up for the kick and drilled the ball past Galea.

But Hibs’ joy was shortlived as the Saints were awarded a penalty a minute later when Mbong was harshly adjudged to have pushed Matteo Desira Buttigieg in the box and Joseph Farrugia sent Rudy Briffa the wrong way to level matters.

Luis Edison, making his first appearance for Hibs after coming as a second-half substitute, put himself in a good position on 72 minutes when he did well to control Kristensen’s pass but the Brazilian was denied by a timely block by Oproiescu.

When the 90th minute elapsed, Hibs thought they had got the winner when they were awarded a free-kick and Gilmar curled the ball into the top corner.

But the Saints refused to throw in the towel as in the third minute of stoppage Jonatan Perez Cuestra sent a low cross that completely caught the Hibs defence unaware and in came Farrugia who stabbed the ball home to the delight of the St Andrew’s clan.

St Andrew’s goalkeeper Jake Galea was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

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