Aberdeen 2
Mackie 63 Miller 70(pen)
Hibernian 1
Shiels 54 Gathuessi s/o 73 Nish s/o 81
Aberdeen 2 Hibernian 1 April 26 2008
Nine-man Hibernian blew the opportunity to move third in the Scottish Premier League as they self-destructed against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Dean Shiels capitalised on poor play from Zander Diamond to break the deadlock early in the second half, only for substitute Darren Mackie to equalise within a minute of his introduction and Lee Miller to then score a penalty having been fouled by Thierry Gathuessi.
Another foul on Miller saw Gathuessi booked, before he was sent off for arguing the decision and any hopes of a comeback from Hibs were soon dashed when replacement Colin Nish was dismissed for dissent.
The visitors scored the opening goal in the 55th minute when Diamond was punished for losing possession in ruthless fashion by Shiels, who squirmed into the Dons penalty area before supplying a composed finish.
The game took a major swing in Aberdeen's favour with the arrival of Mackie, who scored immediately after replacing Chris Maguire.
Ian Murray and Martin Canning were left in a state of confusion as Mackie wriggled along the byline and the striker restored parity by somehow flicking the ball past Andy McNeil from the tightest of angles.
Aberdeen quickly built on that goal, with a needless foul from Gathuessi on Miller resulting in a penalty that was dispatched with aplomb by the Dons forward.
Any hopes Hibs had of getting back into this game then vanished as Gathuessi and Nish were sent off in a madcap nine-minute spell.