Willo Flood scored a late winner to hand Aberdeen a 1-0 victory over Hibernian in their Scottish Premiership match this evening.
Neither side created a clear goalscoring chance throughout the match, and it was down to a moment of magic from the Aberdeen midfielder to break the deadlock from 30 yards in the 87th minute.
That was enough for the hosts to claim all three points, leaving them now 10 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table.
You can read how it all unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage of the match below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Hibernian. These two sides are amongst the most in-form teams in the country at the moment, so we should be in for an entertaining match at Pittodrie.
We'll start with a look at our hosts this evening, who will be attempting to consolidate their place in second tonight. Aberdeen are just one point above Motherwell in the table at the moment having also played a game more, but a victory tonight would give them a cushion to third.
Derek McInnes's side can't harbour any realistic hopes of winning the title as they trail leaders Celtic by 13 points after just 21 games, but second place would be a good achievement for them this season - certainly as much as they would have expected before the campaign began.
They have earned their place in the top two as well. Their team has a nice balance to it, and that is demonstrated in their stats so far this season. Only two teams have scored more goals than Aberdeen in the Scottish top flight, with McInnes' men finding the net on 32 occasions, a tally only Celtic and Dundee United can better.
At the other end of the field it's a similar story. Once again only two teams - this time Celtic and Inverness - have conceded fewer goals this season, with Aberdeen's defence being breached just 19 times in their 21 games. They have also established themselves as fairly hard to beat, with only unbeaten Celtic - who can't really be compared with any other team in the league - losing fewer games this season.
The hosts come into this match in fine form having won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, and six of their last seven in the league alone. The only blotch on their copybook in that time was a 1-0 defeat to Motherwell - who themselves are in formidable form - on Boxing Day.
They have been in good form at Pittodrie for most of the season, only losing three times in front of their own fans while winning seven and drawing just once. However, two of those three defeats have come in their last four outings here, which hints at a decline in home form of late. Derek McInnes will look to right that as soon as possible.
He will not have an easy task doing so against a Hibernian team greatly improved since Terry Butcher joined from Inverness. He has seen his side go unbeaten in their last five games, while only Celtic have been able to beat Hibs in their last nine outings.
That form has lifted them into the top half of the table, and they now sit sixth, three points clear of seventh and well-placed to reach the Championship round when the league breaks in two. They still trail fifth-placed Inverness by five points having played two more games than Butcher's former team, but Hibs have plenty of momentum going into the next phase of the season.
While Aberdeen have a well-balanced side, it is clear where Hibernian's main deficiencies lie. They have scored just 19 goals in their 21 games this season, the third-worst tally in the entire division. Only Partick Thistle and Hearts - two of the bottom three - have found the net less often.
At the other end of the pitch, and the spectrum, they have conceded just 19 goals all season - the same amount as their opponents this evening. Their defence have saved them from defeat on a number of occasions already this season, but with the strikers not scoring often enough at the opposite end, Hibernian have been held to too many draws. They have shared the spoils on seven occasions in the league already, more than any other side.
Terry Butcher's side have a very inconsistent record overall this season having won seven, drawn seven and lost seven matches in the league. However, their away form is not too bad of late having only lost one of their last five matches in their travels. That was by a solitary goal to runaway leaders Celtic and is only one of four away defeats that Hibernian have suffered all season.
Aberdeen do have the psychological advantage of already having beaten Hibernian once this season, doing so back in October with a 2-0 win. The last time that these two teams met here was last January in a goalless draw, while the last time Aberdeen beat Hibs here was in September 2012.
PREDICTION: We're nearing kickoff at Pittodrie, which means that it is time for my match prediction. With two in-form sides going up against each other, something will surely have to give. Aberdeen will no doubt go into the game as favourites, but under Terry Butcher Hibs look like a much improved outfit and will fancy their chances of coming away from this game with something to show for it. I fancy their chances too, so I am going to go for a 1-1 draw.
ABERDEEN STARTING XI: Langfield; Shaughnessy, Tate, Reynolds, Flood, Jack, Robson, Pawlett, Hayes, McGinn, Vernon
ABERDEEN SUBS: Weaver, Anderson, Murray, Smith, Wylde, Magennis, Zola
HIBERNIAN STARTING XI: Williams; Forster, Nelson, Hanlon, McGivern, Cairney, Robertson, Craig, Stevenson, Collins, Heffernan
HIBERNIAN SUBS: Murdoch, Maybury, Handling, Stanton, Jones, Cummings, Harris
That is two changes for Aberdeen, who give a full debut to Alan Tate following his loan signing from Swansea. Hibernian, meanwhile, are unchanged from the team that drew 2-2 with Dundee United in their last outing. They are able to name Alex Harris on the bench for the first time since August after he recovered from a broken foot.
KICKOFF: Hibs get us underway at Pittodrie for what should be an action-packed match between two sides in fine form. Who can come out on top this Friday evening in Scotland?
Almost a huge mistake early on in the Aberdeen defence. Langfield came out to collect a long ball forward and Reynolds was in close attendance, leaving the ball for his keeper but failing to block the run of Heffernan. Heffernan got their first before going down under the challenge of the keeper, who is fortunate not to give away an early penalty.
This has been a really bright start from the visitors, who are pressing high up the pitch when they don't have the ball and sending searching balls forward when they are in possession. Aberdeen haven't settled into this one yet.
The hosts just haven't been able to keep hold of the ball for any significant length of time so far. They are struggling to get out of their own half as, whenever they try to pass it forward, Hibs get it back straight away.
Terry Butcher will be very happy with how his side have started the game, but they haven't been able to create any chances of their own. Their best sight of goal came from a defensive mix-up, so the lack of craft from the visitors could be a slight concern for the manager. However, there is no doubt that he will be the happier of the two bosses so far.
Tate is summoned for a long chat with referee Craig Thomson after a rash-looking challenge. The loanee didn't actually make contact with his man, but there was enough intent there for the ref to call him over.
The hosts' best moment of the match sees McGinn slide a clever pass inside the full-back for Pawlett to run on to. The winger has a chance to put the ball into the box, but he overhits his cross and the danger passes.
This time it is McGinn who has the chance to cross from the left, but once again the final ball is disappointing. He twisted and turned to create space to deliver the ball, but it bobbled along the floor and was cleared by the first man.
Good defending from Reynolds as he sticks a leg out to collect a very dangerous Forster pass into the area. Reynolds was stretching there and could have easily diverted it into his own net, but he did well in the end to get the ball away.
The visitors have a free kick in a good position to shoot, but Craig leans back when taking it and sends it a long way over the bar. That was a really poor effort, and a waste from such a good position.
McGivern hangs a high ball into the box that drops onto the head of Robertson when it shouldn't be allowed to by the defence. They get away with it, however, as Robertson is unable to get sufficient power behind his effort to really test Langfield.
Ben Williams has his toughest test in the Hibs goal so far, and it comes from his own player. He has to deal with a bouncing and bobbling back-pass with an Aberdeen man chasing him down, but he does it well and volleys it clear, taking no chances.
Forster whips the ball in towards the front post and Collins meets it with a volley. He tries to steer an ambitious first-time effort towards goal, but can't wrap his foot around it and only succeeds in sending it closer to the corner flag than the goal.
McGinn twists and turn out on the left wing to create space to cross the ball into the box. This time he delivers a much better ball than he did anyone, and it takes a good header behind from Craig to clear the danger.
This is better from the hosts. A corner is swung into the middle and Reynolds rises highest to nod it goalwards. It looks like it is going towards the top corner, but Nelson is well-placed to head it away for another corner.
PENALTY SHOUT! This is a huge call from the ref not to give the hosts a penalty. Flood played a clever ball into the box that Pawlett latched on to before dinking it over the keeper and back across goal. It hits Nelson on the hand, which diverts the ball away from two red shirts who were waiting to tap it into the empty net at the back post. That is a stone-waller, and Craig Thomson has not given it. The home fans are incensed, and rightly so. Nelson is a lucky man.
McInnes is asking the fourth official exactly why that penalty wasn't given. It looked like one on first view and the replays show without a doubt that it should have been given. That is really poor from the ref.
SAVE! This is much better from the hosts. Reynolds gets on the end of another corner and this time heads it down into the ground. It bounces up at a nice height for Williams, but the proximity of the effort means he can only palm it away rather than catching it.
YELLOW CARD! Robertson becomes the first man in the book, and he can have no complaints with that one. He pulled Pawlett back as the winger ran at the defence and deserved a card for a cynical foul.
Hayes lands very heavily following an aerial battle, and the referee stops play so that he can receive treatment. He was winded there so will take a while to move freely again but will able to continue.
Lovely play from Pawlett to skip away from a couple of tackles before feeding the ball out wide to McGinn. He played a dangerous low cross right across the six yard box and to the back post, where McGivern was well-placed to put it behind for a corner.
Aberdeen have vastly improved since that penalty was turned down, but Williams hasn't really been tested yet. He has only had to make one save for the visitors, while Langfield has been similarly untroubled at the other end. This has not been a half blessed with a huge amount of clear chances, it must be said.
Interesting corner from the hosts as Jack plays the ball along the floor towards the edge of the area. Hibs should cut it out before it reaches McGinn, but the Aberdeen striker manages to get a shot away that lacks the power needed to threaten Williams's goal.
Hayes does really well down the left flank, beating his man before whipping a fine cross into the box when it looked like he wouldn't be able to squeeze one in. Hibs defend it well, however.
Pawlett has become more and more influential in this match as time has gone on, which is very good news for Aberdeen. He has arguably been their best player this season, and he is starting to look like the most likely man to create or score the opening goal here.
CLOSE! That is dreadful from Hayes. He tried to hammer the ball clear but somehow only succeeded in gifting the ball straight to Heffernan inside the Aberdeen box. The Hibs striker took his shot early, but could only direct it a couple of yards wide.
Robson whips a wicked ball into the box that Nelson has to clear pretty much off his own line. The ball finds its way back to Robson, whose second delivery picks out Shaughnessy, who flicks a header over.
HALF TIME: Aberdeen 0-0 Hibernian
The referee brings an end to opening 45 minutes and, to be honest, it wasn't the best half of football that you will ever see. It remains goalless at the break following a first half that saw very few genuine sights of goal for either side. These are two of the most in-form teams in the league right now, but they haven't played like it so far today.
The biggest talking point of the half was undoubtedly the referee's decision to turn down an Aberdeen penalty. It came just before the half-hour mark when Pawlett latched on to a through ball inside the box before chipping a cross over the diving keeper and into the middle. Two Aberdeen players were waiting to roll it into the unguarded net, but it hit Nelson's hand and never reached the red shirts. It looked like a clear spot kick, but Craig Thomson didn't give it.
Hibernian also had a penalty shout in the opening few minutes when Heffernan took advantage of a defensive mix-up between Reynolds and Langfield. Heffernan took the ball round the keeper before going down, but the ref opted against pointing to the spot. There did look to be a slight touch, so Langfield was perhaps lucky not to be penalised early on.
Other than those two penalty shouts, there has been very little action at either end of the field. Ben Williams has had one fairly straightforward save to make from a Reynolds header, while Heffernan was gifted the ball inside the box by a terrible Hayes clearance but couldn't take advantage as he drilled his effort wide.
Hibs started the match on top as Aberdeen took a long time to settle, but after their denied penalty the hosts were the better team. Overall, it was a fairly even half of football and 0-0 is about right at half time. Neither side can say that they have done enough to be leading this game so far.
One thing the visitors will need to do in the second half is keep Pawlett quiet. He got himself into the game more as the half went on and it was obvious that he has the ability to make a difference if he is afforded enough space. He can run with it and also has the quality to create good chances for teammates, so he is certainly one that Hibs will need to keep a close eye on.
KICKOFF: Aberdeen get us back underway for the second half. They will be hoping for a quicker start to this half than they managed in the first. Will we see a goal in the coming 45 minutes?
Solid start to the half from both teams, which will particularly please McInnes after their slow start to the first half. The match seems to have picked up where it left off before the break.
Good play from Pawlett as he bursts past his man on the left wing before trying to curl a pass round the defence for Vernon, who is unmarked in the middle. The final ball is disappointing, however, as he plays it too far in front of his teammate, allowing the keeper to come and claim.
SAVE! Good defensive work from the visitors as they press Aberdeen high up the pitch and eventually win the ball back in a good position. Collins flicks the ball on to Heffernan, who fires a half-volley towards the bottom corner that the keeper collects quite easily.
SHOT! This time it is a counter-attack from Hibs as Heffernan plays the ball inside to Stevenson. The midfielder almost leaves the ball behind him, but eventually gets it under control and shoots from the edge of the box, only to send his effort a yard or so over the bar.
Tate gifts the ball to Hibernian in a dangerous position, but Craig can't make the most of a three-on-two situation, giving the ball away when looking for a teammate. This is a good spell for the visitors.
YELLOW CARD! Shaughnessy overruns the ball while carrying it out of defence and lunges into a tackle in an attempt to keep possession. It is an untidy looking challenge and the referee is right to produce the yellow card.
Robson swings a vicious corner into the box, but it is well defended by Hibs. That was Aberdeen's ninth corner of the match, while Hibs are yet to have their first. In a match where most of the stats are very even, that is certainly one anomaly.
Hibs come forward and a couple of lucky deflections result in the ball dropping at the feet of Robertson on the edge of the box. He hits it first time and his shot is well struck, but Langfield is spared having to deal with it courtesy of a fine block.
Aberdeen have a free kick in a very good crossing position. Nothing has come of their many corners so far, but perhaps Robson can make something from this improved angle?
No, he can't. Again he puts it into the right area, but Nelson gets yet another commanding header clear. Hibs have defended those aerial balls into their box very well so far tonight.
At the other end, Tate is penalised for a foul despite clearly getting the ball. He led with his studs, which is the reason why the free kick was given, but that is a harsh one for sure. This is right on the edge of shooting range.
The ball is teed up for Cairney to strike from the free kick and he catches the ball very sweetly, but sends his shot right down the throat of the keeper.
HIBS SUB: The first change of the day comes from the visitors as Robertson makes way for Samuel Stanton.
Jack finds space down the left wing and picks out Robson on the edge of the box. The midfielder goes for goal first time but sees his effort well blocked. The rebound falls to Flood, but his effort goes a long, long way over the bar.
Aberdeen are just about on top at the moment, but it has been another even half so far. Neither keeper have been forced into a really challenging stop so far, though.
Tate is forced to backtrack a long way to clear the ball from deep inside his area, and he seems to be joining the rest of the stadium in asking why the keeper didn't come for that one himself. Not the most convincing piece of play from Langfield, there.
YELLOW CARD! Forster goes into the book for a foul on Pawlett, just clipping the Aberdeen man's heels as he threatened to race away.
HIBERNIAN SUB: A second change for the visitors as Heffernan makes way for Jason Cummings. That is an interesting switch from the visitors as they are taking off a lot of experience in favour of youth with just over 15 minutes left.
Cummings is lucky not to go into the book with his first action as the referee shows leniency to let him off with a warning having kicked the ball away. The home fans don't appreciate that!
Aberdeen try something different from the latest corner, playing it short before working a better angle for the eventual cross. For once, the danger is not cleared by Hibs and Vernon gets his head on it, but he can't keep his effort down, nodding over the bar.
HIBERNIAN SUB: It is time for the long-awaited return of Alex Harris, as he comes on for his first piece of competitive football since August due to injury. The 19-year-old replaces Cairney in the side and gets a big ovation as he trots onto the field.
There are just under 10 minutes left in this match, and still neither side really looks like breaking the deadlock. Surely we will see one clear chance before the 90 minutes is up?
ABERDEEN SUB: The hosts' first change of the night sees a straight swap up front as Calvin Zola comes on to replace Vernon. Can he make a difference late on?
Zola is involved immediately as he wins a header from a free kick - a rarity in the Hibs box tonight. However, he can't steer it on target and it ends up going harmlessly wide.
Hibernian finally get their first corner of the match, but Langfield comes out to claim it with ease. Aberdeen had 11 corners before Hibs finally got one of their own.
GOAL! Aberdeen 1-0 Hibernian (Willo Flood)
Oh my word, where did that come from?! After 86 minutes of poor quality football and a lack of action in either final third, Flood comes up with a moment of magic to get what looks like being the winner. The ball fell to the midfield around 30 yards from goal and he took a touch before drilling a fine strike right into the far corner, with Williams rooted to the spot. That is not a goal that belongs in this game, but Aberdeen won't care one bit!
That has got the crowd going here! It is another late show from the hosts, who look like winning for the eighth time in their last nine matches now.
ABERDEEN SUB: The hosts make a late change as club captain Russell Anderson comes on to replace Hayes at the back.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of two minutes added time. Can the hosts hold out?
ABERDEEN SUB: One final change for the hosts as they look to wind the clock down. Off goes McGinn to be replaced by Josh Magennis.
FULL TIME: Aberdeen 1-0 Hibernian
The referee brings an end to a pretty poor game of football overall, but it had an exciting late twist as Aberdeen scored with just four minutes of normal time remaining to claim all three points against Hibernian. That puts them four points clear of third-placed Motherwell in the table, while the gap between them and leaders Celtic is reduced to 10.
The winner came from Willo Flood, and it was certainly a bolt from the blue as he fired in a magnificent long-range effort in a game that had lacked any real quality until that point. The Hibs keeper actually looked as if he was waving it wide, but Flood could not have placed it better as he picked up the inside of the side-netting from 30 yards. It was a goal worthy of winning any game but, in truth, it didn't really belong in a match as poor as this one.
Still, that is when it came and Aberdeen will be delighted with that. They have now won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions, while the defeat is the first for Hibernian in six games. They remain just three points clear of St Johnstone in the table having played two more games, so they could find themselves dropping back into the bottom half soon enough.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as a moment of magic from Flood gives Aberdeen a late 1-0 victory over Hibernian. Stay tuned for our match report, which will be on site shortly, and be sure to check back in tomorrow for a full day of matches from up and down the country. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
