Kevin Nisbet's stunning strike condemned former club Hibernian to a first defeat in 18 Scottish Premiership games and moved Aberdeen level with the Easter Road club as the race to finish third took another twist.

As a drab contest entered its final stages, Scotland striker Nisbet controlled a Graeme Shinnie cross on his chest, before arcing a dipping volley over goalkeeper Jordan Smith and high into the Hibs net.

It earned Scottish Cup finalists Aberdeen a first win over Hibs this season and moves them level on points with their visitors with four games remaining.

David Gray's side do retain a significant goal difference advantage and carried plenty of threat at Pittodrie.

Martin Boyle shot just past a post early on after Aberdeen had played themselves into trouble, and Josh Campbell and Rocky Bushiri went close, too.

Bushiri played his part at the other end, blocking efforts from Pape Habib Gueye and Topi Keskinen.

But the fact neither goalkeeper had a significant save of note to make tells the story of a frustrating opening 45 minutes.

Hibs were quick out of the traps in the second half, Campbell and Bushiri again going close with headers. But it was Aberdeen who had the ball in the net on 68 minutes, only for Nisbet's effort to be ruled offside.

The striekr wasn't to be denied, though, and broke the deadlock with a genuine goal of the season contender.

Aberdeen had a spring in their step after that and almost doubled their lead in added time when substitute Oday Dabbagh burst through but was denied by Smith.

Smith was called into action again to parry a Dante Polvara shot as Jimmy Thelin's secured a win which moves them up to fourth and on to the coattails of Hibs.

While much has been made of Hibs' incredible run of form, Aberdeen appear to be coming good again at just the right time.

They have put the turbos on at the business end of the season - it is now just one defeat in 12 games in all competitions for Thelin's side.

While all things Europe remain undecided, what now appears clear is that the battle for those places – and for who will finish as the best of the rest of behind the Old Firm – looks set to go down to the wire.

Aberdeen are very much in the thick of it and are showing plenty of character at the moment – and character, as well as quality, can get you over the line.

They also have a Scottish Cup final to look forward to at the end of May, and the potential impact of that on their league form perhaps shouldn't be underestimated.

Every player in the Pittodrie dressing room will want to be part of the squad for Hampden. In order to do that, they will have to perform well between now and then.

Could that give Aberdeen the edge in the chase for third?

This will be a reminder to Hibs that there is still plenty of work to do between now and the end of the season.

David Gray's side remain third, but are now embroiled in what is shaping up to be a real dogfight, with Dundee United also still in the conversation.

All good things come to end at some point and this result ends their remarkable unbeaten run in the top division. What will be fascinating is how they react.

You have to go all the way back to 7 December for the last time they emerged empty handed from a Premiership outing.

But this group of players have proven – after a wobbly start to the campaign – that they have the ability to bounce back, having looked like relegation fodder right up until December.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "It was a really intense and difficult game. The performance was stable and in some areas really good. It was really important for us to get the three points.

"We knew before this that we had to win this game because they were three points before us. The last four in the league now is still so tight. We have to be sharp in every game that's left."

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Did we do enough to win it? Probably not. The players gave me everything. We created enough chances without being clinical.

"It certainly makes it tighter and all to play for moving forward. We're still currently sitting in third position with four games to go. We've given ourselves a brilliant opportunity. It's certainly all to play for for everyone."