Aberdeen FC dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Hibernian after a second-half penalty cancelled out Kevin Nisbet's excellent opener. The result halts the momentum from last week's thumping 4-0 win at Motherwell and leaves Stephen Robinson's side eighth in the Premiership with seven points from six games.
Nisbet gave Aberdeen the lead after 17 minutes with a right-footed strike from the edge of the area, beating goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger after a low delivery from Gavin Molloy. The visitors, who had been the better team for the first hour, had chances to extend their advantage. Toyosi Olusanya saw one effort go wide and another ruled out for offside by linesman Frank Connor.
Milne handball proves costly
The game turned on 62 minutes when defender Jack Milne handled the ball from a Hibernian corner. Referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot immediately. Hibs striker Martin Boyle stepped up and sent his penalty straight down the middle to level the score.
"Martin Boyle celebrates after equalising for Hibs against Aberdeen," the forward said after the match. Boyle's goal changed the dynamic at Easter Road, where sections of the home support had been vocal in their discontent with the club's hierarchy.
Aberdeen had to weather a spell of pressure after the equaliser, with Nathan Lowe winning a free-kick and delivering a cross that substitute Ante Suto headed wide. The Dons held on for a point, but the feeling of a missed opportunity was clear. The draw extends Aberdeen's recent run to just one win in their last five league matches, a sequence you can review on our standings page.
Nisbet, whose goal was his second of the season in six appearances, acknowledged the importance of his contribution. "Kevin Nisbet celebrates after giving Aberdeen the lead at Easter Road," he remarked. His strike followed his goal in the 4-0 rout of Motherwell, where he also provided an assist.
Manager Stephen Robinson will be frustrated that his team could not convert their first-half dominance into a victory that would have lifted them up the table. The international break now interrupts their schedule, potentially stalling any rhythm they were building. Their next challenge is a home fixture against St Johnstone on October 11.
With six goals scored and seven conceded so far this season, defensive solidity remains a focus. The team sits 11 points behind leaders Celtic, underlining the need to turn draws into wins. Aberdeen will aim to restart their campaign with a positive result after the break to climb from their current mid-table position.
This story first appeared at Daily Mail Sport
Manager Stephen Robinson hailed his squad's resilience after a demanding fixture schedule. Robinson said, "It's been a great week. The fixture list was very, very unkind to us with the travelling." He confirmed the team had played six games in 18 days, culminating in the 1-1 draw at Hibernian. The result leaves Aberdeen 7th in the Premiership with 8 points from 7 games. Robinson admitted the penalty award was correct, stating, "It was a penalty." He attributed the concession to defending too deep.
Manager Stephen Robinson confirmed the penalty award was correct. "It was a penalty," Robinson said. He attributed the concession to defending too deep. The Dons have now scored 7 goals and conceded 8 this season, leaving them 10 points behind leaders Celtic. Their recent form across the last five matches is one win, three draws and one loss.
The draw at Easter Road extended Aberdeen's recent form to just one win in their last five league matches, a sequence of DWDDL. The Dons have now scored seven goals and conceded eight this season. The club's statistics reveal they have kept two consecutive Premiership clean sheets, last achieving three in a row in May 2024. The team, currently 7th with eight points, is also one of the two sides with the oldest average starting XI age in the top flight this season at 27 years and 325 days.
