Marsaxlokk 2
Pereira 52; Licari 57
Hibernians3
Farrugia 24; Pulis 74; Scerri 83
A Terrence Scerri goal seven minutes from time earned Hibernians a thrilling win over Marsaxlokk by the odd goal in five to go top of the Premier League standings.
Jean Paul Farrugia's goal midway through the first half was the only notable happening in an otherwise bland first half during which both sides lacked conviction and flair.
After the re-start, Marsaxlokk underwent a metamorphosis and scored two quick goals that turned the table over their opponents. Yet there was more drama in the offing as Adrian Pulis and match-winner Scerri struck late on to compound more misery on Marsaxlokk.
The southerners have been one of the most disappointing sides this season. The former champions may have parted with some of their best talent but their current crop of players is still sufficient to match any opponents in the top flight.
Third from bottom with only five points to their credit, Marsaxlokk's position belies their strength and potential. Coach Brian Talbot knows that his side must start delivering if they are to make it to the Championship Pool.
Yesterday, the southerners had Kevin Sammut and Julio Alcorse missing from their formation. This meant that Clive Brincat was roped in the centre of defence while the sturdy Renato Conceicao was assigned a midfield role.
This plan soon had to be revised however as Brincat hobbled off the pitch just after the half hour and Arnold Buttigieg was introduced in midfield as Conceicao patrolled central defence together with Brian Said.
On their part, high-flying Hibernians had to contend with injury to Rumen Galabov and Leighton Grech apart from long-term casualty of Andrew Cohen.
Mark Miller, who tasted his first defeat with Hibernians in their last outing against Sliema Wanderers, was gunning on his troops to bounce back to the top of the standings. Trailing 2-1 inside the last quarter of an hour, the English coach must had been pondering a second consecutive defeat until Pulis and Scerri stepped up with their goals to land Hibs another crucial victory that lifted them to top spot in the standings on 13 points alongside Birkirkara.
The Paolites broke the stalemate on 24 minutes. Clayton Failla delivered a teasing cross from the left and the young Farrugia was allowed time and space inside the area to flick a header towards goal as the ball hit the post and rolled into the net.
The goal hit hard the southerners who however, struggled to produce a strong response to this early setback as the Paolites went into the interval still leading 1-0.
Marsaxlokk looked a revitalised side after the break and on 52 minutes they drew level. Said floated his free-kick towards skipper Carlo Mamo whose cross-shot was only partially palmed away by Mario Muscat and in came Pereira who easily tapped the ball home.
Hibs were stunned and five minutes later Marsaxlokk turned the match on its head with a second goal. Wellman delivered the cross from the byline and Licari was at hand to beat Muscat with a simple flick.
Shocked by this sudden surge from the southerners, Hibs tried to mount some form of fightback.
Close to the final quarter, Alexis Tekumi Mbongo did well to cut a low cross towards Uruguayan Christian Callejas who unleashed a shot from some 25 metres out only to miss the target.
The Paolites re-established equilibrium on 74 minutes as Clayton Failla's corner was only partially cleared and the Hibs wingback re-directed the ball in the area where Pulis had ample time and space to have the better of Debono.
Ten minutes from time, Talbot's lads could have re-taken the lead as Peter Pullicino beat the offside trap and was about to make a clean run for goal only to be blocked by Muscat with the ball falling into the path of Christian Cassar but the former Floriana midfielder hit wide of a gaping goal.
However, it was Hibs who had the final say as seven minutes from time they struck the winner. The prolific Scerri cashed in on some jittery defending from Marsaxlokk to beat Debono with a low drive.
Marsaxlokk
R. Debono-6, M. Licari-6.5, C. Mamo-6.5, G. Sciberras-6, R. Conceicao-6, B. Said-6, S. Wellman-6, M. Barbara-6.5 ('51 P. Pullicino-6.5) ('87 C. Mattocks), C. Brincat-5 ('33 A. Buttigieg-5.5), M. Pereira-6.5, C. Cassar-6.
Hibernians
M. Muscat-6, J. Caruana-6.5, E. Herrera-6, A. Pulis-7, A. Xuereb-6.5, J. Pearson-6 ('89 T. Caruana), C. Failla-7, C. Callejas-6.5, T. Scerri-7, J. P. Farrugia-7, T. A. Mbongo-6.5.
Referee: Paul Caruana.
Yellow cards: Sciberras, Scerri, Callejas, Pulis, Mamo.
BoV Player of the match: Clayton Failla (Hibernians).