Aberdeen 0 - 1 Hibernian

There was just the one change to the Dons side that won 1-0 at Livingston at the start of May, Niall McGinn dropping to the subs bench to make way for fit again Ryan Hedges, who scored after coming on as a sub in that game.

Hibernian made two changes from the side that beat Dundee United 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Saturday. Darren McGregor and Alexander Gogic came into the starting XI in place of Ryan Porteous and Joe Newell, who both started from the bench.

Good play from Hayes and McLennan created the first half chance of the evening, Hendry not getting enough power on his fourth minute header to trouble Macey. Good control and then clever feet from Kamberi won Aberdeen their first corner in the 11th minute. From Hedges' ball in from the left, Hoban won the header, powering it down into the ground, Ferguson trying to turn it over the line as it bounced up ? while perhaps being impeded ? Macey collecting comfortably.

A training ground corner followed in the 15th minute, McGeouch drilling the ball along the ground, Kamberi letting it run, Hoban scooping his shot high into the air. From there, the Dons enjoyed a good spell with plenty of possession but the hosts couldn't find that crucial final pass to open up a well organised Hibs in the final third.

For the first time Hibs threatened in the 34th minute, McGinn firing a shot in from 30 yards, McGeouch coming across to get a deflection on it, the ball flying over the bar to safety. The Edinburgh side had slowly worked their way into the game with possession far more even by this stage.

The best chance of the half came on 39 minutes, Kamberi and Hayes combining well down the left. Kamberi's low ball, cut back to the edge of the box, found Hedges who didn't get a clean connection on it but it fell perfectly for Hendry eight yards out but he got under his shot and put it over the bar.

When a chance fell Hibs' way, Doidge made no mistake with it two minutes later. A diagonal ball from McGregor found Doig on the left wing.

He nodded the ball back inside, Irvine helping it on to Doidge and as the ball sat up nicely for him, he produced a clinical finish from the edge of the box, the ball flashing past Woods.

Ferguson produced a very useful flick header from a dozen yards out that forced Macey into a save on the brink of half-time, McLennan slinging in a good cross from the right. In the final minute an inviting cross from Kamberi on the left but Hendry and McLennan could not get a touch.

HALF-TIME: ABERDEEN 0 HIBERNIAN 1

Hibs made a quick start and should have doubled the lead on 47 minutes, Irvine receiving the ball at the back post from a Boyle cross. Chesting it down, he created space to poke goalwards, his effort clipping the top of the bar, a real let off for the Dons.

Intricate play for Aberdeen created an opening for Hedges who wriggled himself into space in the 52nd minute but he fired his shot into the side netting, some good, patient passing play opening Hibs up. Hayes then had to give up the ghost and was replaced by Kennedy while for Hibs, Hallberg was also replaced in the 53rd minute, Magennis coming on.

Kamberi had a real opportunity on 57 minutes after terrific play by McLennan, Hedges and Hendry in particular, bustling through a couple of challenges, but from 20 yards, Kamberi sliced wide of goal. Boyle caused more consternation at the opposite end four minutes later, driving a clever low ball through the Aberdeen box, though thankfully there were no takers for it.

Ferguson wasn't far away on 62 minutes, Macey tipping his shot behind as the ball flashed across goal from 15 yards out, Hoban having found the midfielder from a half cleared corner. Hibs made a double change in the 66th minute, Stevenson and Murphy replacing Doig and Nisbet.

In truth after that the visitors look very solid in defence and saw out the came comfortably.

Aberdeen switched off at a free-kick in the 76th minute, giving Murphy the chance to get off a shot, Woods dealing with it well at the foot of the post. Moments later, Irvine swept an effort wide as they tried to hit on the counter-attack.

Into the last ten minutes and McGinn replaced Hedges for Aberdeen as they looked to find a goal. McGinn wasn't far away within a couple of minutes, McLennan bending a ball into the near post, McGinn's header flashing just wide of the target. Hornby then became Aberdeen's last change, replacing Hendry in the 84th minute.

Ferguson got the game's first booking for clipping Murphy's heels in the 87th minute. Considine immediately followed him in for a late challenge on Boyle and Hibs' McGinn was next to see yellow as the game edged into added time.