Hibernian 0 - 0 Aberdeen: Hibs draw a blank against ten-man Dons

HIBS' hopes of a top six finish remain on a knife-edge after the Easter Road side had to settle for a goal-less draw with ten-man Aberdeen this afternoon.

Motherwell's draw with Kilmarnock earlier in the day had presented Mixu Paatelainen's players with the opportunity to open the gap between themselves and the Fir Park side to two points but, with Steven Fletchere missing the game's best chance, their advantage, instead, remains just goal difference.

The Dons were reduced to ten men with seven minutes left, midfielder Mark Kerr stupidly squaring up to Rob Jones after the Hibs skipper had fouled him. But Hibs were unable to press home their numerical superiority.

Hibs carved out the game's first opening, Colin Nish brilliantly turning Zander Diamond before fizzing in a low cross which Steven Fletcher, under pressure from Andrew Considine, just could not reach.

The Dons hit back, Grzergorz Szamotulski needing two attempts to gather a header from Tommy Wright before the Aberdeen striker nodded a Richard Foster cross over the bar, picking up a head wound which saw him off the park for eight minutes as he received running repairs.

Nish was leading the line superbly for Hibs, releasing Fletcher who, in turn, fed Derek Riordan only for his shot to flyi inches wide with the player claiming in vain for a corner.

A Charlie Mulgrew free-kick was spectacularly punched away by Szamotulski before Hibs thought they'd opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, NIsh getting above Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield to reach David van Zanten's hanging cross. The ball ended up in the net but referee Mike McCurry chalked his effort off for a push on Langfield.

Hibs had one more chance before the interval, Nish embarking on another good run before cutting the ball lblack for Fletcher. Langfield couldn't hold his low shot but Alan O'Brien was caught on his heels and the Dons defence managed to clear.

Two decent crosses from O'Brien, however, created further openings for Hibs at the beginning of the second half, Nish nodding his first down only for Scott Severin to clear before Fletcher headed his second wide.
Fletcher, however, should have broken the deadlock on the hour mark as Nish's superb cross found him all alone at the back post but, somehow, the Scotland striker totally miss his kick with the goal gaping.

A "squiggler" from John Rankin almost caught Langfield out, the ball rearing up viciously in front of him but the goalkeeper was able to palm it over his bar.

Hibs had loud claims for a penalty turned down as Riordan's driven cross struck the arm of Considine, the game stretching as both sides sensed one goal would be enough to win this vital encounter.

Aberdleen were reduced to ten men with seven minutes remaining, Kerr squaring up to Jones after being fouled by the big defender who picked up a yellow card for his part in the incident. It was a stupid reaction from the Dons' midfielder to the sort of challenge that will be made a dozen times in a match.

And deep into added on time Langfield was again unable to deal with another dipping Ranking shot, but once more the home side had no-one in the vicinity to drive the ball home.

Hibs: Szamotulski, Van Zanten, Hogg, Jones, Stevenson (Murray 28), O'Brien, Rosa, Rankin, Riordan, Nish, Fletcher. Subs not used: McNeil, Keenan, Thicot, Hanlon, Chisholm, Johansson.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Diamond, Severin, Considine, Mulgrew, Smith, Kerr, McDonald, Aluko (Young 85), Wright (Maguire 67). Subs not used: Bossu, Vidal, Duff, Stewart, Paton.

Referee: Mike McCurry.