Aberdeen 2 - 2 Hibernian

An entertaining encounter at Pittodrie saw the Dons unable to convert their possession into a much needed win, the game ending in a fifth draw in seven league games. since the winter break.

Following the 3-3 draw against Motherwell on Wednesday night, Nigel Warnock made two changes to his team, Duk and Richard Jensen starting in place of Dante Polvara, who was on the bench, and Shayden Morris. Junior Hoilett was among the subs in place of Pape Guèye.

Hibernian beat Inverness Caley Thistle 3-1 in the Scottish Cup last weekend, and there were two changes for them also, Dylan Levitt and Elie Youan replacing Luke Amos and Eliezer Mayenda.

On a grey day in the Granite City, with the floodlights already shining brightly over Pittodrie at kick-off, it was Hibs who illuminated things on 12 minutes with a Boyle goal to take the lead. Kelle Roos’ low kick out was intercepted in the centre circle and played forward to Maolida. He threaded the ball to his right where Boyle sidestepped Roos and slotted in. The obligatory VAR check followed, but the goal stood.

We didn’t have long to wait for the leveller, Nicky Devlin, poacher supreme, turning the ball into the net from close range in the quarter hour. Hibs initially cleared a free-kick from the right, but the ball was hoisted back into the area where Bojan Miovski met the dropping ball flush on the volley. Marshall made a superb save to his left, but Devlin was there to pick up the pieces. VAR again. Goal stood. 1-1.

A dazzling run down the left from Jack MacKenzie opened things up midway through the half, the full-back drifting inside, only to see his low shot well saved by Marshall.

Marshall produced another fine save on 29, Miovski on the run to collect a pass from Duk. As he looked to dink the ball into the net from a dozen yards out, Marshall swooped down upon him to smother the shot. There was a pause for a penalty check on 31 minutes as a Hibs cross struck Devlin on the shoulder, but nothing was given. A minute later, Barron was dispossessed on the edge of his box, Roos down to his left to snaffle Youan’s shot.

The Dons responded with Jamie McGrath firing over and Miovski glancing a header wide, but it was Leighton Clarkson who came closest in the 37th minute, at full stretch to get on the end of a Miovski cross and lifting his shot a fraction too much, watching it thud off the bar.

HALF-TIME: ABERDEEN 1 HIBERNIAN 1

The Dons ignited the second half on 51 minutes, McGrath making it 2-1. Duk surged to the byline and pulled it back for Clarkson. He looked to pass into Miovski around the penalty spot, the defence seemingly cutting it out, but as Fish stumbled, McGrath picked his pocket and drove into the net from eight yards out.

Miovski might have added another after 54 minutes. Triantis miscued a clearance, lobbing it into his own area. Miovski and Marshall converged upon it, the striker just getting his head to the ball first as Marshall came out to punch, connecting with ball and then the Aberdeen player. Miovski required a long spell of treatment but after passing the concussion checks, he was ready to resume.

With the Dons enjoying territorial control, Hibs made a double change on 57, Tavares and Marcondes on for Youan and Moriah-Welsh. Shinnie was booked for a foul on Miller a couple of minutes later.

Marshall was in the action again after 64 minutes, parrying away a curling Duk effort from 20 yards out as Aberdeen went in search of the third goal.

Hibs squared it up at 2-2 after 67 minutes, Devlin misjudging a loping ball into the box, thinking it was going out for a goal kick. Newell nipped behind him and pulled the ball back for Marcondes to finish from close range. Up went the offside flag and off we went to VAR, the goal given.

Marcondes was booked after 72 minutes for bundling Clarkson over, the visitors then bringing on Amos for Levitt. Fish was yellow carded for a foul on Miovski before the Dons made a double change, Phillips and Hoilett replacing Clarkson and Duk.

Hoilett caused immediate consternation, a dangerous cross arcing into the six yard box where Miovski’s shot was eventually bundled behind by Marshall. In making the save, Marshall landed awkwardly and a change was required. Wollacott came on to replace him, Le Fondre also coming on for Boyle. Shinnie’s delivery from the corner was excellent, Stefan Gartenmann glancing a header just wide of goal.

Ten minutes were added to the 90, and in the first of them, MacKenzie’s persistence almost paid dividends. Collecting a Barron pass, he exchanged passes with Phillips inside the area before driving a right footed shot over the bar.

MacKenzie was the creator in the 97th minute, accelerating down the left and flinging a cross through the six yard box. It reached Miovski at the back post but he couldn’t get enough on a prodded shot to discomfort Wollacott.

3 minutes added at end 1st half.
10 minutes added at end 2nd half.