Ante Palaversa celebrates his late winner for AberdeenSNS

Ante Palaversa's late goal preserved Aberdeen's 100% record

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

Aberdeen maintained their 100% Scottish Premiership record thanks to a late goal from Ante Palaversa and poor finishing from 10-man Hearts at Pittodrie.

Palversa crashed in a rising shot on 88 minutes following a bustling run and cut-back from fellow substitute Duk, making his first appearance of the season.

Bottom-of-the-table Hearts had gone 2-1 up through a wonderful strike from Blair Spittal only for Nicky Devlin to find a smart volleyed equaliser and Jorge Grant to pick up a second yellow card.

The Dons had made the perfect start when a heavily deflected shot from Topi Keskinen looped in after just two minutes.

The visitors came roaring back though. Lawrence Shankland squandered two great opportunities to level before setting up the equaliser with a smart, cushioned pass for Frankie Kent to net from close range.

Grant and Kye Rowles threatened and Kenneth Vargas was guilty of a terrible miss, chipping over with just goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to beat.

Spittal's fine goal from 25 yards had Hearts heading for their first domestic win of the season, but Aberdeen had other ideas, taking their incredible run to 13 successive victories under manager Jimmy Thelin.

Seven of those have come in the league, matching Celtic at the top of the table, with those two meeting in Glasgow when the contest resumes after the international break.

Substitutes get Aberdeen firing again

This victory opens up a 19-point gap between Aberdeen and Hearts, who strolled to third place last term. Thelin's side have a game in hand on the Edinburgh side, too.

The Dons were far from fluent, struggling to retain possession against aggressive opponents.

There were a few hairy moments at the back as well, with a defence that had only conceded five in 12, making some sloppy errors.

Hearts really should have added to their tally, but the way Aberdeen responded to going behind for the first time in the league under their Swedish manager was hugely impressive.

Palaversa, Ester Sokler and Duk made a positive impact from the bench, adding muscularity to the attack.

Duk, who refused to return to the club over the summer in a bid to force a transfer, went some way to winning over fans with a cameo full of energy.

Devlin's volley from the edge of the box was a clever piece of improvisation and the full-back, called up for the first time by Scotland, celebrated a great sliding block to deny Shankland with just as much gusto.

Hearts made to pay for not taking chances

For long spells Hearts were the more menacing side and coming away with nothing to show for their efforts will sting.

They did not look like a side with just two points and one just back from a midweek trip to Azerbaijan, shrugging off the disappointment of conceding an unfortunate goal so early.

The dismissal of Grant was an obvious turning point, with his second booking coming on 75 minutes for a sliding challenge on Duk.

The midfielder's first caution - for dissent after Devlin's leveller - had gone unnoticed by many.

Shankland shot straight at the keeper from near the penalty spot and sent an awkward volley over the top when a header looked the better option.

So prolific over the past few seasons, the Scotland striker was perhaps fortunate to avoid a first-half red card, with his one yellow for a hack on Jamie McGrath, coming in the midst of two tussles with Jack MacKenzie and an angry barge on Slobodan Rubezic.

Shankland's exasperation was evident and the captain was apoplectic when Vargas passed up his glorious chance on 55 minutes.

Hearts will hope to appoint a new head coach before their next outing at home to St Mirren in 13 days and there were signs of promise to build on here, along with the frustrating failings.

What they said

'It's a good night to remember' - Thelin on Aberdeen win

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "It's a lot of emotions. The atmosphere pushed us until the last minute to find a winning goal.

"Hearts were really good, they pushed us in some areas and we struggled a little bit, but we found ways to come back. The hunger we have in the team, I'm so happy with that character.

"The whole of Pittodrie was bouncing. It's a night to remember."

Hearts' caretaker head coach Liam Fox: "The feeling is frustration and disappointment. For large spells, the team were really good, created loads of chances, dominated possession for long spells, showed lots of energy.

"It would've been easy for them to go under and feel sorry for themselves because Aberdeen are on a brilliant run - it's a red-hot atmosphere out there.

"But we weathered that, got ourselves back in the game. I was proud of the players. Their effort and commitment was really good."

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