Aberdeen 3 - 1 Hibernian

Ricky Foster made no delay in getting to grips with the match as he won the first corner of the game in the 2nd minute, but Anderson headed Clark's delivery wide of the target. The players were having problems with referee Kenny Clark's strip which clashed with the Dons all black kit. Booth made a great pass to the official in the 5th minute and a minute later he had a sniff at goal that was deflected wide of the target. Hibs were carving out their own chances and O'Connor delivered a dangerous cross in the 8th minute, which flew across the face of the goal. Three minutes later Dobbie went close when his shot scraped Preece's far post.

At this stage the visitors held the upper hand and Riordan went close again in the 15th minute but was denied by a Diamond challenge. A minute later Foster was upended and Tosh fired the free kick high over the bar. Tosh himself was fouled in the 18th minute and this time Morrison kept his effort low but the fierce shot was blocked. A minute later Clark picked up the ball on the left, skipped past a couple of defenders and swung in a cross that was headed wide by Booth.

Anderson became the first booking of the match in the 32nd minutes for obstructing Riordan, but Preece was out well to claim the subsequent free kick. Booth went close in the 39th minute when Hinds flicked the ball into his path and hit a first time volley inches over. Hibs immediately raced up the other end and Dobbie headed a cross over Preece's bar. The Dons continued to increase the pressure and another free kick outside the box allowed Rutkiewicz to have a pop at goal. The shot was on target but was blocked before reaching Andersson. Hibs were denied an equaliser in the 43rd minute when Preece made a great save at the feet of Riordan after Rutkiewicz had slipped inside the box.

Leigh Hinds worked hard to win a corner in the opening minute of the second half but Andersson comfortably claimed the ball. Three minutes later Clark and Foster combined well before a loose ball to Booth brought the move to an end. Three minutes later a similar good move by Hibs also fell apart when Orman sent in a wayward cross. Hinds went close again in the 54th minute when a great pass by Anderson found the striker free on the left. He stepped past one defender and fired a fierce shot inches wide of the far post.

A Riordan free kick was fired high over in the 65th minute as the visitors took inspiration from their goal. Booth was leading the Dons attack with skill and graft but Hibs looked more dangerous going forward. Tosh should have grabbed the Dons second in the 75th minute when Booth sent in the perfect cross and Tosh managed to steer the bar over the top when it looked easier to score. This was the cue for Zdrilic to replace Hinds and after Riordan headed inches wide at the other end Muirhead replaced Foster.

Aberdeen grabbed a second with only five minutes left on the clock and it was a dreadful mistake by Murdock that allowed the Dons striker to break. He latched on to the mistake and calmly beat the keeper. If anyone deserved a goal today it was undoubtedly the veteran striker. Aberdeen worked a clever free kick in the last minute but Zdrilic went too early and was caught offside. Mackie replaced Clark as the seconds ticked away and the three minutes extra time board was held up. Then with seconds left on the clock Zdrilic was felled inside the box and Booth wrapped up the points with a well struck penalty.