The weekend programme of Premier League matches saw champions Marsaxlokk booking their place in the Championship Pool following a 2-0 win over lowly Mqabba but Birkirkara only managed a tame 0-0 draw with Msida St Joseph and are now in danger of failing to make the cut.
Hibs were back to winning ways on Sunday but the match that stole most of the limelight was the big clash between Valletta and Sliema Wanderers on Saturday.
The Wanderers were twice in front following Ivan Woods's goals from the penalty spot but City hit back strongly and drew level just before half-time and then in the 89th minute.
Captain Stefan Giglio scored Valletta's goals against his former team in a match where the stakes were high even though the championship has still not yet reached its half-way mark.
Champions Marsaxlokk moved closer to leaders Valletta after beating Mqabba on Sunday.
The southerners relied on a Julio Alcorse brace to stave off the weak challenge of their modest opponents and now they are trailing the Citizens by a mere point in second place.
The Stripes had club stalwart Antoine Zahra making a comeback after several months on the sidelines with knee injuries.
However, Zahra's presence was not enough for John Buttigieg's team to lift their game. In the end, they had to settle for a scoreless draw with Msida who continued to show significant progress while collecting their 15th point of the season.
Birkirkara are seventh in the standings, on 23 points - the same tally as Hamrun Spartans. Hibs have 24 but played a match more than their two direct rivals. As things stand at the moment, a three-way battle is looming large with only two slots still available for the Championship Pool. In their next match, Birkirkara play Hamrun.
After two successive defeats, Hibs revived their hopes with a 2-0 win over the beleaguered Pietà Hotspurs. The Paolites were made to sweat for their victory though and only managed to find a way through in the second half following goals from Edmond Agius and Andrew Cohen.
Premier League statistics
Birkirkara: Hartvig 4; Mifsud Triganza 3, M. Galea 3, Bajada 3; Tabone 2 (1 pen.); Tamboulas, Yanchev, T. Paris, Fenech, Anastasi, Sylla.
Floriana: Darmanin 7; Micallef 4; C. Caruana 3, Mifsud 3 (moved to Hibs), Krsteski 3 (1 pen.); Brincat 2, Cilia 2, Cassar 2, Bolasie 2; M. Caruana, Sevasta. Red cards: M. Brincat (vs Mqabba); Krsteski (vs Sliema); Gauci (vs Hibs); Cassar (vs Mqabba); Bugeja (vs Marsaxlokk). Missed penalty: Mifsud (vs Msida).
Hamrun: Spiteri 7; Sultana 6 (2 pens); Effiong 5; Ryan Fenech 2, Mangion 2; Briffa, Roderick Fenech, Cucciardi. Own goals: Conceicao (vs Marsaxlokk); Scicluna (vs Valletta). Red cards: Ryan Fenech (vs Pietà); Timotic (vs Birkirkara); Briffa (vs Pietà).
Hibernians: Scerri 6; Cohen 5 (1 pen.); Agius 2, Alcorse 2 (moved to Marsaxlokk); Doffo, Edafe, Chukunyere, Failla, Mifsud. Own goal: Said (vs Sliema). Red cards: Failla (vs Floriana), Edafe (vs Floriana), Edafe (vs Marsaxlokk).
Marsaxlokk: Licari 7 (1 pen.); Barbara 6; Alcorse 4, Frendo 4; Sammut 3 (1 pen.); Gomes 2, Pace 2; Pullicino, Da Silva, Camenzuli, Templeman. Own goals: Borg (vs Msida); Agius (vs Floriana). Missed penalty: Gomes (vs Sliema). Red card: Conceicao (vs Pietà).
Mqabba: Pereira 6 (1 pen); Zarb 2, Silva 2 (2 pens); Gatt Baldacchino, Calleja, Nogueira. Red cards: Pereira (vs Birkirkara); Psaila (vs Birkirkara).
Msida SJ: Doding 6 (2 pens); Pedrinho 5; A. Farrugia 2, Borg 2; Baldacchino, Ogbonna, Magri, T. Farrugia. Red cards: A. Farrugia (vs Birkirkara); Brincat (vs Hibs); Pedrinho (vs Mqabba); Spiteri (vs Marsaxlokk); Doding, Cachia, Grima (all vs Sliema); Bartolo (vs Valletta). Missed penalties: Doding (vs Hibs); Pedrinho (vs Marsaxlokk).
Pietà Hotspurs: Herrera 5; Deanov 3; Kondev 2 pens, Deliminkov 2; Galabov, Goodlip, Q. Refalo. Red cards: Aquilina (vs Valletta); Kondev (vs Marsaxlokk); Montfort (vs Msida); Q. Refalo (vs Hamrun). Missed penalties: Kondev (vs Msida), Herrera (vs Hibs).
Sliema: Barbara 6 (1 pen.); Woods 6 (3 pens); Madzar 4, Said 3; Briffa 2; Milovanovic, Muscat, Bajada, Anonam, Bartolo, Da Silva, Turner. Own goal: Bonnici (vs Mqabba). Red cards: Bajada (vs Hamrun); Pace (vs Birkirkara). Missed penalties: Woods (vs Birkirkara); Barbara (vs Floriana).
Valletta: Monesterolo 13 (2 pens); Zammit 8; Giglio 3 (1 pen.), Temile 3; Scicluna 2, Agius 2, Backhaus 2; Mattocks, Bondin, Mifsud, Camilleri. Red cards: Zammit (vs Pietà); Mattocks (vs Mqabba); Monesterolo (vs Floriana); Bezzina (vs Hibs). Missed penalties: Monesterolo 2 (vs Pietà).
Next Fixtures
Saturday, February 9 (National Stadium)
Birkirkara vs Hamrun 2 p.m.
Marsaxlokk vs Sliema 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 (Tedesco Stadium)
Floriana vs Msida 1.30 p.m.
Pietà vs Mqabba 3.30 p.m.