.. as Hibernian claim all three points

The Dons fell to a second defeat in 5 days as Hibernian eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 victory. Once again it was a poor start that undid the home side as an early own goal from Mark Reynolds set Hibs on their way on 6 minutes. Sean O’Hanlon doubled the visitors advantage on 23′ minutes. Scott Vernon scored the consolation for the Dons 7 minutes after the break and despite dominating for long spells of the second period, the Dons couldn’t find an equaliser.

Craig Brown made two changes to the starting XI that lost out at Dunfermline the previous Saturday. In came Jamie Masson, to make his first start and Kari Arnason replacing Mitch Megginson and Chris Clark.

It was Aberdeen who showed early promise when Gavin Rae attacked down the right flank but Scott Vernon couldn’t collect Rae’s cross.

Despite the early chance and possession for the Dons, it was Hibs who took the lead on 6 minutes. Leigh Griffiths’ superb cross into the box was diverted into his own net by Mark Reynolds. A disastrous start for the Dons and for the Red Army who had been looking for their side to bounce back from defeat in the previous match.

And it was Hibs who continued to press and they had several opportunities not long after going in front, particularly in 10 minutes when another superb cross flashed across the face of goal but no one was there to capitalise in a green shirt.

Aberdeen failed to heed the warning signs and were caught out on 17 minutes as Hibs doubled their advantage. Once again Griffiths was the provider as he swung in a corner that Sean O’Hanlon headed home in front of Jamie Langfield.

With the crowd beginning to vent their frustrations, the Dons did try to put some pressure on the visitors and a sublime cross from Jamie Masson was nearly collected by Kari Arnason but he couldn’t gather completely and the chance was wasted.

Hibernian should have put the Dons even further into trouble when Griffiths found himself in acres of space after Arnason gave the ball away, but he lashed his shot over the bar. He should have done better and with Half Time approaching could have cemented Hibernian’s grip on the three points.

HT 0-2

The Dons started the half reasonably well but a mistake by captain Anderson allowed Griffiths yet another sight of goal but a superb tackle from Josh Magennis averted the impending danger. Minutes later Jamie Langfield had to look sharp to turn a powerful shot from George Francomb behind for a corner.

Aberdeen then began to pass the ball out much better and were rewarded on 52 minutes. Fraser Fyvie crossed into the box, Gavin Rae knocked the ball back across the goal and Scott Vernon got the vital touch that took the ball past Mark Brown to give the Dons hope.

Without creating too many chances, the Dons began to dominate the game, passing the ball about well. Hibernian were clearly unsure whether to hold what they had or push for a third and it began to show.

Kari Arnason’s strike at Tannadice around New Year was one of the few highlights of the season for Dons fans and the Icelander nearly scored another stunner when he fired in a powerful drive from distance that Mark Brown had to tip over the bar when it looked to be heading into the net on 67 minutes. Andrew Considine then had a decent chance saved by Brown as the Dons tried to push for an equaliser.

Manager Brown then made the Dons first change of the evening when Fraser Fyvie was replaced by Cammy Smith on 73 minutes- Smith coming on to make his Pittodrie first team debut.

Hibs should have wrapped the game up on 76 minutes when that man Griffiths again created another chance for his team. His persistence then dangerous cross only needed a calm touch to land in the net but David Wotherspoon rashly fired the ball out for a goal kick. Up the other end Cammy Smith tried a long range effort but he didn’t get enough power into the shot to trouble Mark Brown.

Another youngster came on to make his top team debut on 79 minutes when Jamie Masson, who looked lively throughout, was replaced by Ryan Fraser. Scott Vernon then tried to turn the ball into the net but he shot wide as the Dons’ attempts to equalise became more desperate. The visitors looked dangerous on the break throughout the second half and but for a Mark Reynolds tackle on Ivan Sproule may have made the game safe. Reynolds was booked for the challenge. Another effort from Scott Vernon was headed wide but despite a late corner kick that Magennis headed over, the Dons failed to take advantage and were defeated by 2 goals to 1 by Hibernian for the second time in a month.

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