MOSTA-2, HIBERNIANS-1
Mosta started their Championship Pool trek with a bang after beating Hibs 2-1 to extend their winning run to six matches.
Bojan Kaljevic struck a brace for the resurgent Mosta who, on this form, certainly have what it takes to challenge for European qualification. As for Hibs, this defeat all but ended their hopes of winning the title.
The first chance was created by Hibs after just five minutes. Obinna Obiefule ran into a good shooting position but his drive was beaten away by Omar Borg.
The Mosta goalkeeper denied Hibs again when keeping out Obiefule's close-range attempt following a measured cross by Cohen.
With Hibs down to 10 men as Jonathan Pearson was out receiving medical treatment for a hamstring problem, Mosta opened the scoring on 13 minutes.
Young midfielder Kurt Zammit sent a perfect through-ball to Kaljevic who sped forward before flicking the ball past the on-rushing Jurgen Borg, who was preferred to Daniel Balzan.
The goal bolstered Mosta who were causing more problems to Hibs than they had in the opening stages.
On 24 minutes, Mano Micallef drifted into the box from the left but his cross-shot was cut out by Borg.Mosta remained the better side.
Ten minutes from half-time, Kurt Zammit passed to Piccioni who shrugged off Camilleri before dragging the ball back for Ian Zammit whose grounder was blocked by Borg.
Hibs fell further behind eight minutes into the second half. Mosta produced another devastating counter-attackj as Gian Marco Piccioni released Kaljevic who pulled clear of Camilleri and fired past Borg.
On the hour, Jackson Lima's free-kick from the left caused a goalmouth melee but Clayton Failla's attempt was blocked by the Mosta defenders.
The Paolites rallied. They would have reduced the arrears but for a fine save from Borg who parried away Obiefule's strike after the Nigerian had been set up by Cohen. Borg then needed two touches to tame Kristensen's drive and, minutes later, he fisted away a dangerous cross from Lima.
Needing a goal to revive their hopes, Hibs moved forward with more urgency but could not find a way past the solid Mosta reaguard.
Thirteen minutes from time, Edison headed wide from Lima's corner.Mosta almost hit a third goal six minutes from time but Piccioni's shot came off the foot of the near post.
Two minutes from the end, Hibs reduced the arrears,Obiefule heading home from Cohen's cross.
In stoppage time, Mosta went close to a third but Micallef hit just wide after cutting into the box from the left.
Kaljevic, the Mosta striker, took the best player accolade.