Degabriele denies Tarxien derby delight

Relegation fears thus linger for Tarxien as they stay three points above the drop zone and, most probably only a win in the next match against St Andrews will guarantee them automatic safety.

Gabriel Aquilina, Eduard Calin and Sean Cipriott were influential in midfield, while Traore’s defence-splititng contribution alongside Tounkara provided the Hibernians’ rearguard with some anxious moments.

The Rainbows could not have made a better start to such an important game, going up within the first two minutes when Samba Tounkara hit Traore’s cross from the byeline on the right, first time past keeper Hogg.

But Hibernians’ response was immediate. Failla’s shot from a distance ended just wide. On 10 minutes Lima was denied by the Rainbows’ keeper Andrea Cassar, blocking his close-range shot.

The champions were level on the quarter hour when awarded a penalty after defender Baker felled Dias inside the area. Clayton Failla tucked it away with a powerful low drive.

On 22 minutes, Tounkara darted inside the Hibernians area in a fluent attacking Tarxien move and was twice blocked by goalkeeper Hogg. He then shot slightly over.

On the other end, Mbong played the ball to Degabriele but the Tarxien keeper stretched himself to save. And on the stroke of halftime, Kreuzriegler’s gaolbound effort was deflected by Dias with his head but keeper Cassar was alert and saved well.

The second half remained evenly balanced but not less exciting with some drama reserved for the end.

Hibernians introduced Joao Moreira for Bezzina short of the hour and Dunstan Vella, who had replaced the injured Tabone Desira in the first half, took a more advanced central role.

But Tarxien showed no lack of fight. Faria arrived fractionally late on Traore’s cross from the left and on 74 minutes a splitting run by Traore from midfield presented Aquilina with a good scoring chance but his effort was turned into a corner.

Hibernians put in another striker, Arlindo Neto for the last nine minutes but were surprised by Tarxien’s second goal six minutes from full time. Ricardo Faria connected well to Tounkara’s cross from the left and slotted the ball past keeper Hogg.

Late frantic efforts by the champions allowed them to sneak back into the game to share the points with the last effective attack. After a Dias effort was cleared on the line, Jurgen Degabriele hit a powerful drive from edge of the area that beat keeper Andrea Cassar and deny Tarxien the win.