Hibernians showed plenty of fighting spirit as they recovered from a goal down to beat newcomers Zabbar St Patrick 2-1 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Much of the early pressure came from Hibs, with Ayrton Attard trying a snap shot that Zabbar keeper Camilleri was happy to push wide for a corner.
Captain Kristensen, playing his 400th game for Hibs, saw his powerful effort touched away by Camilleri.
Good work down the right wing by Jurgen Degabriele deserved something but a throw-in was all he got.
All the pressure was coming from Hibs but Zabbar were dangerous on the break, Regala De Figueiredo masterminding much of their attacks. A late surge in added time at the end of the first half saw Zabbar take the lead through De Paiva who pounced inside the box with close range drive that beat Sanchez.
Chasing a way back into the game, Hibs came charging out at the start of the second period. Attard saw his effort brush the top of the bar and Fraga shot rebounded off the bar.
Neither side wanted to give an inch and tempers started to flare. Mendonca, already on a booking, got a tongue lashing from referee Alex Johnson following a tackle on Chukunyere, he was lucky not to get a second yellow.
Hibs were peppering the Zabbar goal but still not finding the back of the net. Kristensen’s volley from outside the box was so close but just over.
Jurgen Degabriele finally did find the break-through on the 70th minute when he pounced from a corner to fire past Camilleri.
That goal galvanised Hibs to even greater effort and they were rewarded when substitute Falcone headed home from close range.
Hibs thought they had a third in extra time when the ball appeared to cross the line following a scramble in the Zabbar box but the referee said no goal.
At the whistle, a precious 2-1 win for Hibernians against a Zabbar side that showed plenty of endeavor and a warning to other sides not to take them lightly.
Hibernians join Sliema and Hamrun in third place, on eleven points, although Sliema have a game in hand. They play Melita on Sunday.
Man of the Match: Jurgen Degabriele Hibernians
