Franklin Sasere struck 14 minutes from time as Birkirkara fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Hibernians in the VBet Malta Premier.

Both sides were looking to bounce back after defeats in their previous outings, and it was Hibernians who took the lead through Alex Sobczyk after 15 minutes before Sasere restored parity in the second half.

Birkirkara made three changes from the side which lost to Sliema Wanderers, with Neil Micallef, Louis Pahama and Fernandinho handed starts, while Rafa Santos, Jake Vassallo and Sasere were named among the substitutes.

Vassallo was introduced earlier than expected, however, replacing the injured Aleandro Garzia after just 18 minutes.

Hibernians, meanwhile, brought Mouad El Fanis and Ryder Matos into their starting formation in place of Leandro Lacunza and Jamie Wahling.

The opening exchanges were balanced, although Birkirkara threatened after 12 minutes when Amarildo tried his luck from distance after being served by Fernandinho, forcing Matteo Cardinali to turn his effort behind for a corner.

Three minutes later, however, Hibernians broke the deadlock.

Matos produced an excellent run down the left before delivering for Sobczyk, who flicked the ball beyond Birkirkara goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa to put the Paolites ahead.

Hibernians continued to push forward and Moritz Romling had an effort blocked after entering the penalty area from the left three minutes later.

Birkirkara gradually began to create opportunities in search of an equaliser. Amarildo fired narrowly over from the edge of the area after a Frazan cross on 34 minutes before going close again just before half-time, when his close-range header from a Fernandinho delivery was deflected behind by Cardinali.

The Stripes maintained the pressure after the restart, with Amarildo heading just wide from Pablo Gabriel’s corner.

Pablo Gabriel then narrowly missed the target with a free-kick before forcing Cardinali into another fine save on 59 minutes, the Hibernians goalkeeper tipping his effort behind.

Cardinali again came to his side’s rescue in the 71st minute when he denied Kemar Reid from close range after Joseph Mbong had chested the ball following a Zach Muscat cross.

However, the Hibernians goalkeeper was forced off through injury shortly afterwards and was replaced by Pablo Sanchez.

Birkirkara finally found their equaliser when play resumed on 76 minutes. Reid released Shaft Brewer down the left and the latter delivered a cross for substitute Sasere, who headed beyond Sanchez to make it 1-1.

Both teams pushed for a winner during the closing stages but neither could find the decisive breakthrough as they had to settle for a point apiece.

Birkirkara 1
Sasere 76

Hibernians 1
Sobczyk 15

Birkirkara: F. Ondoa, Frazan, L. Pahama (64’ F. Sasere), Z. Muscat, N. Micallef (64’ K. Reid), S. Brewer (81’ J. Vinicius), P. Gabriel, A. Garzia (18’ J. Vassallo), Fernandinho (81’ J. Busuttil), Amarildo, Kadu.

Hibernians: M. Cardinali (75’ P. Sanchez), M. Romling, K. Shaw, F. Jankovic (62’ K. Fraga), J. Mbong, B. Kristensen (62’ M. Ellul), O. N’Zi, R. Matos (62’ J. Wahling), J. Roe, A. Sobczyk (46’ J. Mickels), M. El Fanis.

Referee: Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: B. Kristensen, A. Sobczyk, J. Mbong, K. Shaw (Hibernians), Frazan, K. Reid (Birkirkara).