In a game which marked the end of an era for Hibs, with this being the last game played on their famous Easter Road slope before ground development, they claimed a 1-0 success.

This game kicked off at 2.00pm due to the Rugby League Challenge Cup final taking place across the city at Murrayfield and it did not take Hibs long to get into their stride.

They started very brightly with boss Alex McLeish eager his side would finish his first season back in the Premier League with some style.

After eight minutes Russell Latapy did some probing and German striker Dirk Lehmann chipped just wide of Jim Leighton's goal from 18 yards.

Aberdeen centre-half Thomas Solberg has became an increasingly important figure at the heart of the Dons defence and he did well to cut out a Derek Collins through ball.

Aberdeen went very close to an opener when Arild Stavrum was ready to pounce onto a Rachid Belabed long ball but John Hughes did well to clear.

Hibs midfielder Grant Brebner tried a rasping shot from 30 yards and his adventurous effort just cleared the Aberdeen crossbar.

Aberdeen's Norwegian striker Stavrum linked up to play a superb one-two with youngster Derek Young which completely cut out the home defence but the Scandinavian's eventual shot was straight at Nick Colgan.

Andy Dow sent in a very dangerous free-kick on 21 minutes, which John Hughes did well to clear before Stavrum could pounce.

French long-range specialist Franck Sauzee let fly from 20 yards but Dons defender Derek Whyte got in the way of the goalbound effort.

After a good build-up from Hibs, Aberdeen forward Young tracked back to make a timely intervention to deny Kenny Miller and then Jim Leighton spilled a Collins cross but Solberg cleared.

Hibs started the second period very positively with a three-man move involving Sauzee, Miller and Brebner looking promising but Solberg read the danger and mopped up the situation.

Then Latapy showed a neat skill on the right but again Solberg did well to head clear from the cross.

On 51 minutes Leighton stood up well to make a great one-handed save from Lehmann's powerfully-hit 10-yard shot after Whyte had deflected the ball into his path from Miller's cross.

The pressure paid off for Hibs on 53 minutes after a long free-kick by keeper Colgan, Lehmann beat Solberg and Miller bravely nodded the bouncing ball over the onrushing Leighton.

Aberdeen sub Hicham Zerouali sent in a dangerous free-kick on 56 minutes, which Solberg nodded goalwards and then Stavrum prodded the ball towards the net but Colgan saved well with his feet.

Both sides continued to press forwards but in the end Hibs just about deserved the three points.

Teams:

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, Hughes, Dennis, Murray, Sauzee, Lovell, Brebner, Latapy, Lehmann, K. Miller.

Subs Not Used: Phillips, McIntosh, Jean, McGinlay, Hartley.

Booked: Sauzee.

Goals: K. Miller 53.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Anderson, Solberg, Whyte, McAllister (Lilley 79), Guntveit, Dow (Rowson 61), Mayer (Zerouali 46), D. Young, Stavrum, Belabed.

Subs Not Used: Preece, Perry.

Booked: Lilley.

Att: 9,659

Ref: Bobby Orr (Scotland).