Hibernians relinquished their lead at the top of the BOV Premiership following a goal-less draw against Hamrun Spartans.
Those points dropped allowed Floriana, who later in the day beat, to leapfrog Hibs and head the premier table.
This was a game Hibs desperately needed to win but despite Hamrun having a player sent off, they could not find that elusive winning goal.
Hibs threw everything at Hamrum, including the kitchen sink but found their way to goal barred by former Hibs keeper Henry Bonello in brilliant form.
The game started brightly enough with Hibs claiming a penalty when Dunstan Vella went down in the box but their appeals were waved away by referee Glen Tonna.
Thaylor tried to chip Bonello from long range but it was a bit too ambitious.
Just before the half hour the game turned when Hamrun were reduced to ten men when Dielna was red-carded for a foul inside the box. A penalty for Hibs which Da Costa failed to convert.
Dunstan Vella’s powerful effort from outside the box just rose above the bar as the half time approached.
After the restart the pattern resumed. Hibs attacking, Hamrun defending with all their worth to keep them at arm’s length.
Thaylor sent a teasing cross into the box only for Joseph Zerafa to hit the side netting.
Jurgen Degabriele then found space inside the box but could not find the net as his shot scraped past the outside of the post. Probably the closest Hibs had come to breaking the deadlock.
Hamrun were defending in numbers and continued to frustrate Hibs. They did push forward when they found the chance and Kone, who had a mostly quiet afternoon, did well to tip over a dangerous dipping cross from the left.
Full time and five extra minutes and still no goals.
Hibernians had to settle for a point, their eigth draw of the season.
