Hibernians held by resilient Mosta to miss out on top spot

Hibernians missed out on the chance of taking sole leadership in the YoHealth Malta Premier as they could only manage a 2-2 draw against Mosta.

It was a frustrating night for the Paolites who twice forfeited the lead against a resilient Mosta side and in the end, had to settle for a point that leaves them sharing second spot with Ħamrun Spartans and Valletta on eight points, one behind leaders Marsaxlokk.

Hibernians were off to an aggressive start against Mosta as they sought an early breakthrough.

Their prolific goalscorer, Lucas Vilella, twice came close to giving them the lead.

On 12 minutes, the lanky forward fired a low shot that flashed just wide, and then he was at it again, but this time his effort was deflected to a corner.

Hibernians’ persistence was rewarded on 19 minutes when they took the lead after a well-worked move.

Mailson played in Alfred Silas, and the wingback immediately squared the ball to Vilella, but his shot was brilliantly pushed away by goalkeeper Udo Akpan.

However, Duane Bonnici was the first to react to the rebound and fire the ball into the net.

Mosta’s response was an immediate one and took just two minutes to pull level.

Prince embarked on a surging run, which saw him sprint inside the area but was upended by Pedrinho.

Referee Glen Tonna pointed to the spot and Daniel Henrique sent Justin Haber the wrong way.

The goal spurred Mosta into action, and two minutes later Haber needed to pull off a fine save to keep out Nathan Agius’ thumping drive.

Mosta maintained their ascendancy after the break, and in a quick raid, Henrique’s low cross finished into the path of Agius, who, incredibly, fired over from a few metres out.

Nisevic brought on Cleiton at the start of the second half, and the Brazilian forward again left his mark when he ably escaped the close marking of Gianluca Vassallo to fire the ball past Akpan.

However, history repeated itself for Hibernians as for the second time in the match, Mosta took just two minutes to level matters.

It was Prince again the Paolites’ tormentor as he sped through the Hibernians’ defence and hit a thumping drive that hit the back of the net via the bar.

Twelve minutes from time, Villela had a great chance to punish Mosta when goalkeeper Akpan inexplicably charged out of his goal to intercept a long pass; the ball fell onto the feet of the Hibs forward, who, however, saw his lob finish wide.