A headed goal by former Aberdeen striker Mixu Paatelainen and a brilliant free-kick from substitute Thomas McManus gave Hibernian a deserved three points over the Dons at Easter Road.

The two late second-half strikes were enough to see Bobby Williamson's side stay firmly in the hunt for a UEFA Cup place and give them their first win in three matches.

But for Aberdeen manager Steve Paterson, the events will have further underlined the changes which will have to be made if the Dons are to once again mount a serious challenge.

Too often they were bustled out of things in midfield and the need for a striker has already been noted by the new Dons boss.

Judging by his finger-wagging from the technical area, home manager Williamson was far from satisfied by his side's slow start to the game.

The re-knitted defence were struggling to gel and some poor passing from the back saw them put themselves under pressure on several occasions.

On four minutes, goalkeeper Tony Caig had to dive low at his post to hold a drilled effort from Derek Young as the visitors looked sharp.

As the minutes wore on, however, Hibs began to settle and it took the crossbar to save Aberdeen in the 23rd minute.

Finnish international Jarkko Wiss rolled a quick free-kick into the path of John O'Neil, who saw Paatelainen peel away from the defence at the far post.

When the 35-year-old headed across the face of the goal, Derek Townsley was there and landed a looping header onto the bar and over.

It was an escape for Aberdeen, who were now struggling to find any foothold beyond their own half as the first half developed.

Hibs had a decent penalty claim waved aside early in the second half.

In the 57th minute, O'Neil was found in space on the right and his beautiful curling cross appeared bound for the diving head of Francisco Luna.

The striker seemed to be pulled to the ground by Russell Anderson.

However, the referee allowed play to continue and the home side lost the opportunity.

They were to rue a further missed opportunity in the 61st minute when Paatelainen should have made it 1-0.

The persistence of Alen Orman saw the Finn presented with a gilt-edged chance, but he first-timed his effort by David Preece's post with no-one anywhere around him.

Finally, the home side made the breakthrough on 70 minutes, and Paatelainen made amends for his earlier miss.

O'Neil crossed from the left and Paatelainen got up at the back post to power a header into the far corner.

Aberdeen rallied after falling behind and Laurent D'Jaffo was unlucky with two efforts, one header hitting the post.

However, the points were made secure with five minutes to go in spectacular fashion.

Substitute McManus struck a brilliant right-foot free-kick from 30 yards beyond the Aberdeen wall and into the left hand corner.

It was all over, and Aberdeen could have little complaint at the final outcome.

Teams

Hibernian Caig, Doumbe, Smith, Zambernardi, James, Orman, Wiss (Brebner 63), O'Neil, Townsley (Murray 79), Luna (McManus 66), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Westwater, Jack.

Goals: Paatelainen 70, McManus 85.

Aberdeen Preece, Rutkiewicz, Anderson, McGuire, McNaughton (Mackie 81), Deloumeaux, Tiernan (Michie 56), Clark, McAllister, D'Jaffo, Derek Young.

Subs Not Used: Esson, Mike, O'Donoghue.

Booked: Anderson.

Att: 11,604

Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).