Hibs secure fifth place despite narrow defeat to Aberdeen

Hibs finished the 2018/19 season in fifth place despite
suffering a narrow defeat to Aberdeen at Easter Road this afternoon.

Paul Heckingbottom made one change to the starting XI that
lost to Kilmarnock last weekend with Florian Kamberi making way for Daryl
Horgan.

Kamberi was originally listed amongst the substitutes ahead
of kick-off but suffered an injury in the warm-up.

In the opening minute Lewis Ferguson tested Ofir Marciano but
the keeper did well to save his effort.

Hibs responded and moments later David Gray found Fraser
Murray but his deflected effort was saved by Tomas Cerny at his near post.

The home side continued to attack at pace and both Daryl
Horgan and Marc McNulty were denied by good defending.

McNulty in particular was causing the Dons defence problems
and he had half-chances in quick succession, a close range shot which was
blocked then a glancing header from a Lewis Stevenson cross.

Hibs eventually took the lead in the 25^th minute
after Mark Milligan found Murray who played a fantastic dinked through ball to
McNulty. The on-loan striker calmly slotted the ball past Cerny to the delight
of the large home support.

Two minutes later Murray went close with a curling effort
from the edge of the area as Hibs totally dominated possession, mounting attack
after attack.

Marvin Bartley received a massive round of applause as he
warmed up in front of the Famous Five stand and Hibs almost doubled their lead
when Stephane Omeonga’s cross found McNulty unmarked inside the area. The
striker unselfishly tried to find Murray with a cushioned header but the ball
was cleared.

Referee Euan Anderson was subjected to a chorus of boos
after ignoring a blatant foul on Horgan then just before the break the visitors
levelled against the run of play.

 Connor McLennan’s low
cross found Sam Cosgrove who got the break of the ball before slotting it past
Marciano.

Hibs started the second half in style and Murray headed
straight at Cerny from close range following a fine cross from Gray.

A superb long ball from Mallan found Horgan on the right
wing and the Irishman cut inside and fired agonisingly wide of the post.

Despite Hibs constant pressure, it was Aberdeen who took the
lead when James Wilson fired home from close range after good work from Cosgrove
and Stevie May.

Bartley replaced Milligan and both received tremendous ovations
from the Hibs fans.

David Gray handed Bartley the captain’s armband as he
entered the field.

The Aberdeen fans were given a new lease of life with the
news that Rangers had equalised at Rugby Park and they generated a fantastic atmosphere
in the South Stand

The biggest cheers of the day, apart from Bartley’s
reception was reserved for the referee on the very few occasions that he
awarded them a free-kick. The abuse from the home fans however just seemed to
make him more determined to give the benefit of any doubt to the Dons.

Hibs refused to give up though and Cerny produced a fine
save to deny Gray from eight yards.

The former Hibs keeper then did well to save from Stevenson
and then Mallan as Hibs pushed for a late equaliser.

In time added on, substitute Gary Mackay-Steven won a stoppage
time penalty kick but Cosgrove’s strike was brilliantly saved by Marciano.

After the game Heckingbottom told BBC Scotland: “It was
a terrific performance. Everything we did wrong came back to haunt us but
everything we did right we didn’t get the rewards for.

“We had the full-backs getting forward. I want people
chipping in with single figures and more people getting into double figures
because that’s the way we’re going to win games.”

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray, Hanlon, Milligan (Bartley 63’),
Horgan (Shaw 78’), McNulty, Mallan, Stevenson, McGregor, Murray, Omeonga
(Slivka 82’). Substitutes not used: Bogdan, Whittaker, Agyepong, Gauld.

Aberdeen: Cerny, Logan, Shinnie, Considine, McKenna, Wilson,
Cosgrove, Ferguson (Devlin 84’), Ball (May 60’), McLennan (Mackay-Steven 78’),
Lowe. Substitutes not used: Craddock, Gleeson, Campbell, Ross.

Referee: Euan Anderson.

Attendance: 18,631.