SPL: Aberdeen 1-2 Hibernian

Oct 5 2008 Scott Mcdermott At Pittodrie

HIBS hitman Derek Riordan hit a deadly double to inflict more Pittodrie pain on Dons - but his late winner was highly controversial.

The striker's brace condemned Jimmy Calderwood's side to yet another home defeat and increased the pressure on the under-fire gaffer.

After Riordan had given Hibees the lead Lee Miller grabbed a first-half leveller from the spot. Then with just 12 minutes left a clearly offside Steven Fletcher saw his goal-bound flick handled on the line by Charlie Mulgrew who was sent off.

Linesman Wes Boulstridge failed to spot Fletchwas ahead of Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield when he diverted Riordan's shot towards the net.

It didn't matter to Deeks though as he coolly slotted home from the spot to give the Leith outfit a precious win.

The former Celtic misfit kissed the badge on his shirt after both goals and admitted he's loving life back at Hibees.

Riordan said: "I always kiss the Hibs badge, I'm a fan so I wouldn't kiss any other.

It shows I feel this is where I belong and the move back is working out well. I am still lacking fitness but that will come.

The more I play for the first team the better I will get.

"I'm delighted to get another two goals - I've told Fletch my shot was going in before he touched it and he was probably offside. But this is a great win up here."

Defeat leaves Dons still looking for their first home win of the campaign and they now just have one point out of 15 at Pittodrie.

Ironically the only team NOT to win there are Rangers who drew 1-1.

As much as they huffed and puffed and dominated most of the possession, Aberdeen lacked an edge up front which Hibs had in abundance.

Easter Road boss Mixu Paatelainen was thrilledwith the victory and hailed sub Dean Shiels for turning the game.

Mixu said: "Aberdeen put us under pressure at the start then we came in to it and deserved to be 1-0 up.

"But in the second half we didn't get out of the traps before Dean came on and totally changed the game. He was lively and made things happen.

"It was a definite handball for the penalty but difficult to see if Fletcher was offside."

Aberdeen had the first gilt-edged chance in 16 minutes when Richie Foster should have opened the scoring but Yves Ma-Kalambay used his massive frame to stay big and deny the Dons ace with a terrific save.

Colin Nish should then have hit the target for Hibs after Fletcher supplied him but his shot flashed wide of Langfield's left-hand post.

A minute later Ma-Kalambay was called into action again. Lee Miller's flick fed Darren Mackie and his well controlled volley was smothered by the Belgian.

It was end-to-end stuff and Lewis Stevenson danced past Mark Kerr on the left before supplying a perfect cutback for Riordan whose drive whistled inches past.

The striker didn't have to wait long for his goal though. A seemingly harmless pass wasn't dealt with by defender LeeMair who was muscled off it by Nish.

The ball broke nicely for Riordan who waltzed round Langfield and slotted home from a tight angle.

It could have been much worse for Caldo shortly after when John Rankin's cute pass found Fletcher but with just Langfield to beat he blasted over.

Hibs paid for that miss in 41 minutes when Dons levelled from the spot.

Kerr produced a driving run from midfield then a clever ball for Miller who had darted into the box.

Bamba got too tight to the frontman, bundled him over and Miller dusted himself down to fire the spot-kick past Ma-Kalambay.

Aberdeen were in charge for most of the second half but Hibs finally came alive in the last 15 minutes. Nish saw a header loop just wide before the Edinburgh men snatched the winner in a dramatic finish.

Shiels' through ball set up Nish and when his chip was saved by Langfield, Riordan volleyed the rebound towards goal.

Fletcher's flick from six yards was going in until Mulgrew saved on the line with his hand.

Ref Mike McCurry immediately pointed to the spot and sent the defender packing before Riordan stroked home the winner.

REF MATCH

MIKE McCURRY did okay and got first penalty decision spot on. But he needed help from his assistant at the second and didn't get it. Also seems to have forgotten the rule about when to stop play after halting attacks THREE times when players went down with non-head injuries. Rating: 6/10.

Shorts on 6

Shorts off 6

Offside 5

Fouls 6

Corners 5

Booking 2

Shorts on 5

Shorts off 7

Offside 5

Fouls 14

Corners 1

Booking 1