Hibernian 1-1 Aberdeen: Jamie Maclaren strikes at the death to salvage point for home side

Jamie Maclaren's late equaliser salvaged a point for Hibernian at home to Aberdeen.

Hibs had dominated the second half but looked like they would end up empty handed, despite constant pressure.

On-loan Watford defender Tommie Hoban had stabbed Aberdeen ahead after goalkeeper Adam Bogdan made a hash of his initial shot.

But a Hibs onslaught finally paid off, with Maclaren knocking in Paul Hanlon's cross.

Neil Lennon's side camped in the Dons half in the second half, but all too many efforts were wide of the target with their unbeaten home record in 2018 looking under threat.

Aberdeen had defended stoutly, staving off everything Hibs had thrown at them, but were undone with just four minutes to go.

Hibs almost pay price for lack of clinical edge

Lennon was without Florian Kamberi, with strike partner Maclaren beginning on the bench. Their main threat came from midfield, with Daryl Horgan and Martin Boyle both finding plenty of room to run at the visiting defence.

Boyle also could have had a penalty after falling to the turf under Andrew Considine's challenge following a low Horgan effort which was pushed away by Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Both men were being invited to shoot from distance - each finding the side netting - though Lewis had to deflect a powerful effort over the bar from the edge of the box from Horgan.

Referee Andrew Dallas also chose to ignore an Aberdeen penalty shout when Hanlon appeared to trip Lewis Ferguson.

Stevie May - fresh from ending a near-five month goal draught in last weekend's cup win over St Mirren - became Aberdeen's main creator in the first half. He twice picked out Graeme Shinnie in the box, before heading across goal for Hoban to give the Dons the lead; though goalkeeper Bogdan did not cover himself in glory as he failed to hold a fairly innocuous shot.

Aberdeen were happy to pick Hibs off on the counter attack. Gary Mackay-Steven, Frank Ross and Ferguson were linking up well. But as the game wore on Aberdeen saw less and less of the ball and it became a matter of sitting in and holding onto their one-goal lead.

At the other end, Hibs continued to shoot from distance, but rarely hit the target, continually looking like they were running out of ideas. An exasperated Lennon needed more from in the final third from his charges, and he finally got it when Australian substitute Maclaren added the finish his side craved.

A festival cracker - analysis

Brian McLauchlin at Easter Road

It was a pulsating 90 minutes; the home side deservedly earning a point with two of the country's top teams serving up a festival cracker.

For Aberdeen, whatever they were forced to pay Hamilton Academical for the services of Ferguson will prove to be one of the bargains of the summer as the teenager belied his years with another sterling performance in a red shirt.

Striker May led the line well, despite chances being few and far between. Within a system that may not be ideal for his style he kept making himself available for the "out ball" to ease the pressure on his defence.

Hibernian will look at a disallowed penalty claim early on that would have changed the dynamics in the match and a fingertip save by Lewis to deny the impressive Horgan.

For long spells Hibernian dominated possession, but on the few occasions they broke through the Dons rearguard Lewis denied them.

Lennon will surely be looking to shore up the defensive area that has been their weakness before the transfer window closes on Friday.

The addition of Australian international Matt Milligan will help if they want to improve on last seasons fourth position. They are hugely attractive to watch and that is one of the main reasons the crowds are returning in big numbers.

Jamie Maclaren wheels away after his equaliser for Hibernian

Post-match reaction

Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon: "I am happy with the performance. I'm really disappointed with the goal we concede from a set play. It's criminal from our point of view.

"A draw was the least we deserved, but I feel we have dropped two points today. That cost us a little bit last year and we have to turn that dominance in games into wins."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "Once you come to a place like this and get 1-0 up, with the experience we've got I expect to see the game out.

"We should have had a stonewall penalty. The referee is in such a brilliant position to see it. He just abdicates responsibility in giving the penalty. There is no doubt in my mind its a penalty when Ferguson gets brought down. It's such an important decision especially when you come away from home."