Hibs regained their winning touch when the saw off Sliema Wanderers in a highly-entertaining encounter at the Hibs Stadium today.

The victory lifted the Paolites above Birkirkara and just one point behind leaders Valletta.

It was Hibs who endured a dream start as after only nine minutes Clayton Failla was at the end of Jackson Lima’s free-kick and his deft header flew past Glenn Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper.

Sliema soon responded and the managed to draw level on 20 minutes when they were awarded a central free-kick from which Ivan Woods unleashed a powerful drive that took a slim deflection before finishing past a helpless Mario Muscat.

The match remained evenly balanced with Hibernians showing great enthusiasm to try and turn the match in their favour.

The decisive moment of the match came on 51 minutes when Hibs were awarded a corner-kick from which Jackson Lima’s cross flew across the face of goal where Andrew Cohen’s close-range shot was somehow kept out by Zammit but from the rebound Allan Kardeck was on hand to bundle home.

Hibernians midfielder Jackson Lima was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.