Hamrun Spartans booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy with a thrilling 3-2 win over Birkirkara at the Hibs Stadium.

The Spartans started strongly and on 17 minutes Anderson Ribeiro picked Dene Shields on the right and the Scottish striker sent in a teasing cross across the face of goal where Gaetan Spiteri was on hand to stab the ball home.

The goal hit hard the Stripes who had little time to regroup as the Spartans doubled their lead three minutes later. Shields was again the catalyst as the Scottish striker burst into the area but was upended by Rodrigo Pereira inside the area with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Shields stepped up for the kick and sent Reuben Gauci the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Birkirkara fought back admirably and five minutes from the break Bajada's inswinging cross was met by Pereira who headed past Borg.

The goal stung the Stripes into action and two minutes later Bajada's fine delivery picked Avila-Perez who controlled the ball before and his shot on the turn was somehow kept out by Borg and in came Sciberras to blast the ball home.

The match became more evenly balanced after the interval but the Spartans managed to grab the winner 12 minutes from time when Ribeiro turned past his marker to hit past Reuben Gauci.