…but Dons fail to capitalise.

Aberdeen failed to overcome ten man Hearts as they stumbled to their eighth home defeat of the season. In a first half of little note Aberdeen held the advantage, but failed to threaten in the final third. The match exploded into life in the 52nd minute when Kingston was shown a straight red for an over the top challenge on Fraser Fyvie. The Hearts man had been on the field barely eight minutes and this should have handed the advantage to the home side. However Johnson netted twelve minutes later when Aberdeen failed to clear their lines and despite a lot of effort the Dons never looked like levelling the match.

Aberdeen kicked off and Mackie had the ball in the net after four minutes when he latched on to a long ball, strode forward and lashed it past Balogh. Unfortunately he had already been flagged offside in a very tight decision. Mackie and MacLean combined well in the 8th minute and forced the first corner of the match,but Balogh did well to claim the delivery and at the other end Jonsson went too early and was flagged offside.

In the 14th minute a Hearts effort went high and wide then two minutes later Kerr was cautioned for a great challenge on Elliot where he clearly won the ball. Elliot even acknowledged the challenge, but Mr. Collum was unmoved. A Marshall shot went wide in the 17th minute then Jonsson was booked for a challenge on MacLean who was trying to control the ball before aiming at an empty net after he collected a Balogh clearance. The subsequent free kick saw Mulgrew fire inches wide.

MacLean was penalised in the 27th minute when he looked to have controlled the ball inside the Hearts box as neither side could find the spark to ignite the match.Although Aberdeen were enjoying the best of the play the game was error strewn at this stage. Good pressure from the Dons in the 34th minute ended with Foster driving the ball into the side netting. MacDonald was the next player to end up in the book with referee Collum indicating persistent fouling. This had been one of the tamest encounters between the clubs in years yet three players were already in the book. Just on half time Kingston entered the field of play, but he had little time to get involved at this stage, but would make his mark after the break.

Fyvie was taken out of the play early in the second half, but a throw in was awarded to Hearts much to the anger of the home fans. Hearts were guilty of time wasting in the early stages, but the game erupted in the 52nd minute when Kingston put in a horrific challenge on Fyvie. The referee agreed and the Hearts man was shown a straight red card. With Zaliukas already off receiving treatment Hearts were down to nine men for a short period. Balogh saved from Mackie in the 55th minute as the crowd got behind the team.

Substitute Mulrooney was the next player to be booked on the hour mark then Aluko replaced Marshall. A Mulgrew free kick was handled by Eliot and the second set play was saved by Balogh as Aberdeen increased the pressure. However it was Hearts who grabbed an unlikely lead in the 64th minute when Aberdeen failed to clear their lines and Jonsson had space to execute an overhead kick beyond the despairing Langfield. Aberdeen tried to hit back, but a corner failed to threaten then a Derek Young delivery went out of play as the fans became frustrated.

A cross from Aluko was scooped out for a corner by Stevenson in the 79th minute, but it all ended tamely with a snatched shot from Mulgrew. A Paton shot then went well wide a minute later as Hearts comfortably held their advantage. Lee Wallace then picked up a knock and required lengthy treatment. With all substitutes used Hearts were down to nine men for a short spell. Diamond was booked for complaining about a decision as the Dons continued to huff and puff, but they never looked like pulling a goal back.

With four minutes of injury time to be played Mackie won a free kick 30 yards out. Mulgrew swung the ball in to the box, but Balogh saved from a McDonald header. There were muted claims for a spot kick a minute later, but it would have been harsh and they settled for a corner. That came to nothing and the only final incident of note was another caution for keeper Balogh who was booked for time wasting. That is now eight games without a win and the Dons need to start collecting points sooner rather than later.