Aberdeen 2 - 0 Hibernian

Aberdeen left it late at Pittodrie to clinch their seventh home win in a row against the much fancied Hibs side. Goals from Winters and Zerouali in the last three minutes of the match sent the red army home in raptures. After a slow start the Dons played their way into the game and Derek Whyte was unlucky with an effort that came off the upright. The second half lacked passion, but Aberdeen always had the upper hand and the late show gave Ebbe Skovdahl's men a record to be proud of. Right at the death the Pittodrie crowd (and the watching Sky TV audience) witnessed one of those 'were you there?' moments when Zerouali strolled the length of the park to score into an empty net.

Aberdeen kicked off, but Hibs had the better of the opening minutes with a Brewster effort that went wide of Kjaer's right hand post and a dangerous cross driven across the face of the goal in the 3rd minute. Aberdeen finally forced their way forward in the 5th minute with Thornley and McNaughton creating havoc on the left. Dadi picked up a nasty accidental head knock in the 10th minute, but was able to continue after treatment. Hibs still held the upper hand at this stage as Aberdeen struggled to win control of the midfield.

Neither team had yet had a shot on target, but Luna had a crack from 20 yards in the 15th minute only to see his shot slip harmlessly past the post. Aberdeen's communication was poor and this was highlighted in the 17th minute when Winters rolled a free kick to Darren Young with the midfielder looking elsewhere. Darren Young had a chance in the 22nd minute when he broke through the middle. He delayed too long on the ball and the Hibs defence were able to clear. Thornley and McNaughton were giving the Hibs defence a torrid time down the left, but the final ball was never quite good enough. Thornley got Aberdeen's first shot on target in the 25th minute, but hit his effort straight at Colgan. A minute later Mackie drilled the ball wide of the target.

O'Neil went close for the visitors on the half hour mark when he headed wide after a fine cross from Orman. Aberdeen replied with a wicked cross from Thornley which was scrambled for a corner. From the resultant corner the Dons went close when the post denied Derek Whyte his first goal for the club. Mackie was on hand to fire the rebound goalward, but Colgan blocked his effort as the Dons stepped up the tempo. After a nervous start the Dons were beginning to get the upper hand and only a marginal offside decision prevented Mackie from opening the scoring. A minute later Luna went close at the other end to remind the Dons that they were still in the game. Both Luna and Mackie had further half chances before the break, but neither could find the finish.

Dadi picked up another head knock within a minute of the restart and was stretchered off and replaced by Zerouali. The game then went through a scrappy stage with neither side able to create any fluidity. Hibs picked up two yellow cards in the space of a minute as first Luna and then Orman found their way into Mr Clark's book. From the Orman booking Winters curled a free kick towards goal, which Colgan saved easily. Derek Young replaced Ben Thornley in the 63rd minute and McManus replaced Luna a minute later.

The Dons created a chance in the 69th minute when Zerouali challenged Colgan for a high cross. The ball broke to Bisconti, but the tiring midfielder drove the ball high. A minute later Fergus Tiernan replaced him. Good work by Mackie forced a corner in the 74th minute, but the danger was cleared. Winters had an effort from the edge of the box in the 78th minute. Once more Colgan was not really tested and comfortably held the shot. The 82nd minute brought a fine flowing move from the Dons as Mackie was released on the right, but once more the final ball was a let down. A minute later Derek Young went close when he got on the end of a Winters cross only to be denied by Colgan.

The Dons certainly looked the likelier side, but the Hibs defence were holding firm as the visitors were reduced to a wild effort by Orman from 30 yards. In a dramatic finish Aberdeen grabbed a late double to seal the victory. The first came in the 90th minute after good work between Mackie and Derek Young. Young beat a couple of defenders on the right and passed to Mackie who's cross was headed home by Winters despite the efforts of Colgan. The second came in the 93rd minute as Hibs threw everyone forward for a corner including keeper Colgan. The Dons cleared and Zerouali ran from the half way line to roll the ball into the empty net. Ebbe's comments >>