SLIEMA WANDERERS-1, HIBERNIANS-2

Hibernians had to fight harder than expected to see off the challenge of Sliema Wanderers.

The Premier League leaders looked to be cruising to their 13th win when Luis Edison scored his second goal to put them 2-0 up but when Sliema pulled a goal back, the Paolites appeared to lose their composure.

They did just enough to hold on to their lead as Sliema's late reaction failed to produce a second goal.

Hibs had started strongly.

After just two minutes, Edison outpaced Andrea Scozzese as he sped towards goal to reach to a long clearance from the back but Sliema keeper came Glenn Zammit rushed out to block the Brazilian's effort.

The Sliema goalkeeper denied Hibs again, keeping out Jorginho's close-range shot after the Brazilian had been picked out by Andre Cohen.

The leaders opened the scoring after 12 minutes. Clayton Failla's swerving cross-shot from a free-kick was beaten away by Zammit but the ball rolled into the path of Edison who rifled home from point blank.

Sliema, playing with five a back, struggled to make an attacking impact, but they improved as the first half progressed.

Eight minutes from half-time, Hibs had a great chance to double their lead but Edison headed wide from Joseph Mbong's perfect cross.

Just before half-time, Sliema lost Michael Mifsud, their lone striker, to injury after he twisted his ankle in a tussle for the ball with Andrei Agius.

Hibs all but made sure of the points on the hour, Edison scoring from a direct free-kick after Jorginho had been fouled by Stefano Biancardi.

The game looked as good but Sliema reopened the issue on 66 minutes. For once, the Hibs defence was caught off balance as Trevor Cilia's through-ball rolled the unmarked Peter Xuereb whose effort hit goalkeeper Henry Bonello before landing in the net.

The Blues gained courage. Fabio Mangiacasale laid the ball to Gnabouyou whose swerving drive from the distance sailed over.

With eight minutes remaining, Cohen put in a dangerous cross into the six-yard box but Andrea Scozzese managed to intercept the ball.

Sliema wasted a brilliant chance to equalise two minutes from time. Friggieri, running on to Gnabouyou's pass, sped into the box but his effort was pushed away by the alert Bonello before Jonathan Pearson, who just replaced Mbong, cleared for a corner.

Edison, the Hibs striker, was named BOV player of the match.