Aberdeen dug deep in the second half to come from behind and beat 10-man Hibernian at Pittodrie.
The Dons trailed at the interval thanks to Christian Doidge’s goal for the visitors but Steven Whittaker’s dismissal early in the second half handed Aberdeen the initiative and an Adam Jackson own goal and strikes from Andy Considine and Curtis Main gave the Reds their first home league win since Boxing Day.
Dons boss Derek McInnes made one change from the side which drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock on Wednesday with Dylan McGeouch coming in for a start against his former club in place of Mikey Devlin who dropped to the bench.
Leading goalscorer Sam Cosgrove again missed out with a back injury.
Hibernian manager Jack Ross made two changes following the 3-1 home defeat to Hearts in the Edinburgh derby on Tuesday. Defender Steven Whittaker and striker Jamie Gullan replaced Stephane Omeonga, who dropped to the bench, and Marc McNulty who was serving the first of a two-match suspension.
Hibs had two great early chances to take the lead at Pittodrie but were denied on both occasions by Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
The Dons captain tipped a Christian Doidge header onto the post before denying Jamie Gullan after the striker had taken advantage of a collision between Ash Taylor and Shay Logan to run clear on goal.
The Dons’ best chances fell to Lewis Ferguson and Curtis Main, but Ofir Marciano comfortably saved both efforts.
With the respective defences both looking uneasy it was inevitable a goal would come and it was the visitors who got it as Doidge ran clear of the Aberdeen backline to round Lewis and put Hibs in front.
The Dons were then denied a penalty before the break when Ferguson was hauled to the ground by on-loan Rangers midfielder Greg Docherty only for referee John Beaton to give a goal kick.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Steven Whittaker was shown a second yellow for a foul on Ferguson and it did not take Aberdeen long to capitalise.
Visiting defender Adam Jackson knocked McGinn’s cross into his own net to make it 1-1 in the 64th minute and two minutes later the Dons were ahead as Andy Considine fired home after the Hibs defence had failed to clear a McGinn corner.
The Dons ensured the points were staying at Pittodrie in the closing stages.
Ferguson’s flick released McGinn and he picked out substitute Bruce Anderson. The striker’s effort was blocked but Main was on hand to fire home the rebound and make it 3-1.
