Steven Fletcher's late goal capped a remarkable second-half comeback by Hibernian against Aberdeen as the home side climbed to fifth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Dean Shiels struck six minutes after Merouane Zemmama's curling free-kick had cancelled out Aberdeen's half-time lead, and in-form Fletcher grabbed the third in injury-time to put gloss on the win.

Zander Diamond had put Aberdeen ahead in the first half, and victory would have been a huge boost for the Dons ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup second leg against Bayern Munich.

But Hibernian were a transformed side after the break, turning on the style to delight the Easter Road crowd.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood made three changes to the side who achieved the sensational 2-2 draw with Bayern at Pittodrie.

Chris Maguire, Jeffrey de Visscher and recent signing Dave Bus came in for Darren Mackie, Andrew Considine and the midweek goal hero Josh Walker.

Hibernian, who had new signing Martin Canning on the bench, welcomed back skipper Rob Jones following a thigh strain and the introduction of Zemmama in place of winger Filipe Morais proved crucial.

The glue-pot surface, which was strangely watered before the match, did not allow for good passing football.

But it did not affect Aberdeen skipper Scott Severin with only a minute gone as Yves Ma-Kalambay had to turn the midfielder's 30-yard drive around his right-hand post.

Ma-Kalambay then palmed away a Chris Maguire cross which he could have caught but sprung to his feet to beat away De Visscher's follow-up.

The opening goal was only delayed until the 18th minute.

Hibernian's Colin Nish and Rob Jones got in each other's way dealing with De Visscher's corner and Diamond gleefully rammed home the loose ball.

The Hibernian rearguard were again in a mess four minutes later but Ma-Kalambay touched home defender Chris Hogg's header onto his own bar and away to safety.

It was the Dons, clearly buoyed by their European exploits, who looked the more threatening as they pressed forward.

Former Hearts defender Alan Maybury was presented with a great chance in the 35th minute as he strode forward from his full-back position but Ma-Kalambay saved with his legs.

Four minutes later, Hibs should have been further behind as Chris Maguire found acres of space in the box from De Visscher's free-kick, but his shot-cum-cross was fired across the six-yard box and wide.

However, Hibernian enjoyed the perfect start to the second half as they grabbed the equaliser only three minutes after the interval.

Diamond was adjudged to have tripped Nish as the pair went for a through-ball and Zemmama took charge of the free-kick as he kissed the ball before placing it 25 yards out.

The Moroccan's brilliant curling effort beat Langfield's despairing dive and found the top-right corner.

He was booked after peeling off his shirt to celebrate and six minutes later Hibs were remarkably in front.

Shiels appeared to have lost his chance after being put through clear on goal by Fletcher's pass.

But the Northern Irishman somehow managed to hook the rebound from Langfield's save back over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Hibernian were suddenly rampant and Zemmama's strike on the hour mark was ruled out for an offside against Nish in the build-up.

The game raged from end to end in the closing stages as Aberdeen sought an equaliser and Hibs tried to seal the victory.

Langfield was equal to Fletcher's angled drive and Ma-Kalambay did well to turn Sone Aluko's shot round the post.

Aberdeen substitute Stuart Duff then came within a whisker of a late equaliser as he rattled Ma-Kalambay's crossbar from Severin's cross, and fellow substitute Steve Lovell's shot from the rebound was cleared to safety.

Hibernian's appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Charlie Richmond as Nish appeared to be held in the box by Dons defender Dave Bus, but Fletcher settled it in added time.

John Rankin's cross found the striker who has remarkably been linked with Real Madrid, and the 20-year-old's 12th goal of the season made sure of the points for the hosts.

Teams:

Hibernian Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, Hogg, Jones, Zarabi, Shiels,Zemmama (Morais 74), Murray, Rankin, Fletcher,Nish (O'Brien 90).

Subs Not Used: McNeil, Kerr, Chisholm, Canning, Hanlon.

Booked: Zemmama, Shiels, Rankin, Gathuessi.

Goals: Zemmama 49, Shiels 55, Fletcher 90.

Aberdeen Langfield, Maybury, Diamond, Bus, Mair (Duff 81),Maguire (Lovell 71), Nicholson, Severin,De Visscher (Walker 71), Miller, Aluko.

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Jonathan Smith, Carroll.

Booked: Diamond.

Goals: Diamond 18.

Att: 13,825

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).