BIRKIRKARA   2

Montebello 3

Failla 46 pen.

HIBERNIANS  3

Tiago 43

Taylon 82

Agius 88

Andrei Agius scored a dramatic late winner as Hibernians came from 2-1 down to beat Hibernians 3-2 and go top of the Premier League standings on Friday.

The match had taken a different path for much of the opening 80 minutes and in fact it was Birkirkara who took the lead after three minutes.

Luke Montebello forced his way into the area but the Hibs defenders failed to clear way the ball and the towering striker lashed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Hibs fought back strongly with Taylon coming close twice in quick succession when first he saw his effort turned to a corner by Andrew Hogg after seven minutes.

Two minutes later, the Brazilian was unlucky to see his thumping drive coming off the bar.

On 19 minutes, Montebello should have doubled Birkirkara’s lead when he ran through to meet Maurizio Vella’s throughball but his low drive was kept out by Marko Jovicic’s stretched foot.

The match kept the same script with Hibs bossing proceedings and the Stripes defending deeply and try and catch their opponents with swift forays on Jorginho and Montebello.

Five minutes from the break, Eduardo miscued his clearance and Jake Grech quickly played in Tiago who was denied by Hogg.

The Brazilian striker made amends two minutes from the break when he was well picked by Jake Grech to push the ball behind Hogg with an audacious back-heel.

On the restart, Birkirkara were again off to a fast start as in the first minute they regained the lead. Radojevic brought down in the area Jorginho and from the spot Failla sent Jovicic the wrong way.

Hibs responded by withdrawing Marcio Barbosa and bringing on Marco Sahanek as the Paolites switched further to attacking mode.

But despite their long spells of possession the Paolites were struggling to create any openings.

Hibs finally threatened on 79 minutes when Bjorn Kristensen found Jake Grech at the far post by Hogg was alert to push to a corner.

Eight minutes from time, Sahanek picked Taylon whose overhead kick was pushed over the bar by Hogg.

Hibs’ persistence was rewarded six minutes from time when Tiago latched onto a long pass and nodded the ball towards Taylon who anticipated Hogg and headed into the net.

The Paolites were not finished yet and a minute from time, they grabbed the winner when Andrei Agius outjumped his marker to send a downward header past a diving Hogg to send the Hibs fans in a frenzy.