VALLETTA-3, HIBERNIANS-2
Valletta kept their title bid on track after edging past Hibs in an entertaining game.
Poor in the first half but lucky to lead through Luke Montebello's goal, Valletta looked to be cruising towards victory after going 3-0 up early in the second half but Hibs made a contest of it with the brilliant Luis Edison hitting a brace to ensure a nervy finale.
But there was no time left for Hibs to try and push for an equaliser as Valletta held on to reduce the gap on leaders Birkirkara to two points with three games remaining.
Hibs midfielder Jackson Lima had a low shot stopped by Nukri Revishvili after six minutes. Valletta's Georgian goalkeeper made another easy save after Lima headed centrally from Jean Paul Farrugia's cross.
Valletta recovered from a quiet start to take the lead after 15minutes. Alan Da Silva Souza's diagonal effort was deflected into the path of Luke Montebello who miscued his first attempt but lifted the ball into the net with his second.
The Paolites were dangerous when Lima stormed forward through the middle before sending the ball towards Edison whose well-struck volley grazed the top of the crossbar.
Hibs remained the more creative side as their increasing pressure rattled the fading Citizens.
In an isolated attack, Da Silva Souza sped past Igor Radusinovic but the Brazilian spoiled the chance as his next touch sent the ball rolling into the hands of Balzan.
Da Silva Souza then teed up Steve Borg but his powerful strike was off target.
Jonathan Caruana made a vital intervention as his tackle took the ball away from Obiefule inside the six-yard box after good work by Edison.
With Valletta showing clear signs of uneasiness at the back, Hibs intensified their pressure.
Ten minutes from half-time, Dimech threw his body in the way of Edison's shot.
Dimech again came to the rescue when blocking Obiefule's screamer and, moments later, the woodwork denied Hibs an equaliser. Edison burst forward on the counter before releasing Farrugia whose piledriver crashed against the crossbar.
In a rare attack, Valletta threatened to extend their advantage as Da Silva Souza's feints took him past Radusinovic but his cross-shot was off target.
Valletta clearly needed to up their game after their poor display in the first half. Their nerves were eased when Da Silva Souza poked the ball home from Shaun Bajada's cross five minutes into the second half.
Balzan then prevented Valletta from extending their lead when pushing away Nafti's free-kick but on 57 minutes, the score became 3-0. Borg played an excellent through-ball to Briffa who surged into the box and flicked the ball past Balzan.
Hibs looked stunned but they should have revived their hopes when Failla's cross landed at the feet of Farrugia who skied his shot.
Despite their three-goal deficit, Hibs refused to give in. They struggled initially to summon a reaction but, after Revishvili had saved Obiefule's header, the Paolites pulled one back.
Edison charged into the box before rifling the ball over Revishvili and into the net.
Lateef Elfordf-Alliyu, who had replaced Nafti, almost restored Valletta's three-goal lead when he swept past Radusinovic but his shot was stopped by Balzan.
Two minutes from time, the excellent Edison almost punished Valletta who had again failed to contain his run into the box but the Brazilian's angled effort fizzed across the goalline and ended wide.
Hibs set up a tense finale after they reduced the deficit to one goal. They were awarded a penalty after Caruana was ruled to have tripped substitute Jurgen Degabriele in the box. Edison made no mistake from the spot.
Da Silva Souza was named BOV player of the match.