Goalscorer Ryan Christie trots off and his replaced by Anthony O'Connor.

BBC Radio Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont: "Jason Cummings is such an important player for Hibernian, the first to score 20 in three consecutive seasons since Joe Baker in the '60s."

Image source, SNS

A third Aberdeen goal... No. A whisker away as Dons right back Shay Logan fires a 25-yard howitzer inches wide with Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano at full stretch.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes and Hibs counterpart Neil Lennon pace their respective technical areas like hungry lions eyeing their prey.

The Dons retain a slender lead but Hibs continue to look dangerous.

Aberdeen come thundering forward and Hibs rely on a last-ditch tackle from David Gray to stop Jonny Hayes in his tracks. The game is opening up nicely as both sides chase further goals.

Here come Hibs. Jason Cummings, down the left, whips in a cross and the Aberdeen defence scramble clear, somewhat unconvincingly.

Neither defence appear confident in dealing with crosses into the box. The promise of more goals? Here's hoping...

Former Aberdeen defender Russell Anderson: "It's finely balanced. It's going to be interesting to see what happens now. The half-time will allow both managers to speak to their players. With Hibs playing two up front, Aberdeen have to recognise that Hibs are going to be more direct, they will have to be more focused at the back and expect a more physical battle. 

"We have to react the right way and get possession of the ball again and play like we have done for most of the first half."

Craig Paterson tells BBC Radio Scotland: "To be fair to Neil Lennon, it was a big decision to make. He could have waited until half-time. He realised the game was drifting away quickly and he had to do something positive and the introduction of Grant Holt has given Hibs exactly the kind of impetus they were looking for."

Hibernian manager Neil Lennon urges his side to focus at the start of the second half. However, the Dons have forced an early corner...

But Hibs repel the danger.

Second half beginspublished at 13:16

13:16

Hibernian 1-2 Aberdeen

We're back under way at Hampden.

Former Hibs captain Craig Paterson: "When everybody saw the formation they felt Hibs had every right to go toe to toe with Aberdeen. Hibs have had a lot of positive results against teams from the Premiership. Looking back, it's got nothing to do with formations, it's mistakes. It was a dreadful mistake from McGregor - the short pass - and then McGeouch stepped out the way of a free-kick. Formations don't stop that."

Chris McLaughlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

"Hibs were dangerously close to being out of this after goals from Rooney and Christie but Grant Holt's header has certainly given Neil Lennon's side hope at the break. 

"The Dons were dominating the midfield in particular until the big striker pulled one back and the men in red look rattled. Hibs are behind but the biggest roar at the HT whistle came from those in green here in the national stadium. The second 45 could well be a cracker." 

Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

"This can be looked at in two ways. Hibs toiled at the start, you would have to say McInnes beat Lennon tactically to begin with as Aberdeen dominated.

 "At 2-0 they were threatening to run away with this match. Did Neil Lennon make a mistake tactically with how he had set things up? 

"Whatever the case he changed it decisively with the introduction of Grant Holt. You have to feel for the disappointed Fraser Fyvie but it was definitely the right decision by the Hibs manager."

A breathless first half. Aberdeen broke the deadlock with lightning in a bottle, Adam Rooney-style, before Ryan Christie's free-kick doubled their lead.

With Hibs appearing dead and buried, super-sub Grant Holt headed them back into the game to set up a mouth-watering second half at Hampden.

This has been a belter!