Hibernian 1 - 1 Aberdeen

Jim Goodwin made two changes to the side that beat Dundee at Pittodrie last Saturday, Ross McCrorie coming back from suspension and Dante Polvara given his first start for the Dons. Christian Ramirez started on the bench and Calvin Ramsay missed out with injury.

After losing 1-0 at Livingston last weekend, there were two changes for Hibs, Ryan Porteous and Josh Campbell in the starting XI in place of Lewis Stevenson and James Scott, who both dropped to the bench.

The Dons slicked the ball about confidently in the opening couple of minutes but in their first attack, Hibs won a controversial indirect free-kick for an alleged back pass on the by-line from Declan Gallagher. The free-kick was moved back to the edge of the six-yard box, played to Porteous who smashed a shot at goal, Gallagher getting in the way to block. From the corner, it was David Bates' turn to throw himself in the way of a Hibs shot to help clear the lines.

A lovely Dons move on 22 minutes caused more controversy. A measured pass from Connor Barron allowed Jonny Hayes to beat the offside trap. Racing to the by-line, he picked out Lewis Ferguson with a nicely weighted cross and the midfielder smashed it goalward on the volley. Hanlon got in the way of it to block it away, Ferguson adamant that the Hibs man handled the ball in doing so but no foul was given.

Melkersen was given the freedom of Easter Road on 28 minutes, receiving the ball 30 yards out with nobody around him, bringing the ball forward to fire in a low shot from the edge of the area, Joe Lewis producing a terrific fingertip save at full stretch away to his right.

The Dons weren't far away with a free-kick on the right edge of the box on 37 minutes, Hayes firing in a low one at the near post that Macey put behind for a corner, the goalkeeper dealing comfortably with the set piece.

HALF-TIME: HIBERNIAN 0 ABERDEEN 0

Five minutes into the second half, Ferguson played a blind pass across the top of his own box to give Newell a clear sight of goal, Gallagher coming over to block the shot after the Hibs man dithered.

On 53, a Clarke scissor-kick caught Ferguson on the head of the edge of the box. After giving the free-kick to Hibs, the referee finally gave it Aberdeen's way on the edge of the area. Ferguson blasted it into the wall but the Dons recycled the loose ball. Hayes hoisted a cross to the back post, Gallagher nodded down and Bates tucked it away just inside the post with no fuss - just like watching Duncan Shearer in his prime. Excellent finish.

Marley Watkins went to turf with a problem with his right thigh just past the hour, making way for Ramirez. Funso Ojo replaced Polvara at the same time after a tidy full debut. Ojo went to right-back, McCrorie moving into the middle. Hibs then withdrew Campbell for Jasper, Scott replacing Melkersen a few minutes later.

Lewis produced a magnificent save on 75, the ball ricocheting into Newell's path on the edge of the six yard box. His stabbed shot looked to be beyond him but the goalkeeper somehow extended the right arm behind him to keep the ball out.

Straight up the other end, Hayes' cross through the six yard box was inches in front of Besuijen who threw himself full length but couldn't get the touch. Seconds later, Hayes put in another dangerous ball, Bates directing his diving header over the bar.

Hibs were back on terms in 83 minutes, a similar goal to Aberdeen's. Jasper slung in a cross to the back post, Scott headed it back across goal and McGinn volleyed it in from point blank range. Dylan McGeouch and Adam Montgomery replaced Barron and Jack MacKenzie in the wake of the goal. A couple of minutes later, Bushiri and Stevenson were brought on for Henderson and Hanlon.

Bates collected a booking for a foul on Newell as the game entered its final minute of regulation time. From the free-kick some 25 yards out, Porteous put the ball straight into the hands of Lewis.

Four minutes into added time, Doig smashed a shot at goal from a Hibs corner, McCrorie taking the ball flush on the side of the head from a couple of yards away as he came across to block. After treatment and with the fear of concussion, he was replaced by Andrew Considine with the final few seconds.