This is how it feels (Aberdeen 13 05 23)

Ahead of today’s game I had told myself I’d be happy with a draw, given Aberdeen’s run of form and the fact that they were difficult to overcome at Pittodrie, but at the final whistle I was left feeling deflated because we could and should have won rather than having to settle for a point in a goalless draw. Hitting the frame of the goal three times and missing a penalty whilst watching David Marshall having to make just one testing save over the ninety minutes gives a fair indication of how things panned out.

With Doyle-Hayes out injured, Hibs made one change to the starting eleven with Josh Campbell drafted into midfield and it was visitors that started on the front foot with Newell drawing a foul from Scales inside the first couple of minutes. Scales was rightly booked for that challenge and from the resultant free kick, the Aberdeen defender conceded a corner which led to another after Coulson had to knock the ball behind with Youan in close attendance. Fouls by both Campbell and Newell halted the progress of Duk and Miovski as the Dons tried to out of their own half.

From a Cadden cross, Nisbet drew a save from Roos and a few minutes later, Campbell’s cross was sliced wide by Newell. The home fans, in buoyant mood pre match as they celebrated Aberdeen’s anniversary of winning the European Cup Winners Cup, were already starting to get a bit restless as Hibs maintained their front foot approach whilst starving the home strikers of any sights on goal. A Youan shot was saved by Roos and then at the other end, Miovski sent a headed attempt well wide of the target. Matthew Pollock downed Youan and conceded a free kick and it was apparent that Elie was right in the mood today following signing his permanent contract with the club.

A weak Pollock header flew into the safe hands of Marshall and moments later, a fantastic piece of skill from Youan set him free down the left. Elie looked up and fired a low cross into the near post which Nisbet reached but the ball hit Roos and went wide. For reasons known only to him, referee Nick Walsh awarded a goal kick. Hibs were definitely the dominant side and Aberdeen were struggling to contain them and the hosts had Roos to thank for still being level, but the keeper was rooted to the spot five minutes from the break when Nisbet arrowed a shot with the outside of his right foot and then had his head in his hands as the effort flew just past the far post. Moments before that, Newell got his predictable yellow card for a foul on Coulson. Just before half time, Coulson came close with a volleyed effort that cleared the crossbar and so the sides went in level, Hibs perhaps frustrated at not being ahead.

Aberdeen were always likely to come out swinging in the second half and for a brief period they enjoyed more possession than Hibs but never looked likely to cause the visitors any problems. Five minutes in, Elie Youan struck a fierce shot goalwards, but the ball struck the post and was cleared away before anyone in green could react. Soon after, Josh Campbell was booked for a high boot challenge and injured himself in the process. A Pollock header sailed harmlessly over Marshall’s bar before Cadden found space down the right and cut the ball back from the byeline where Campbell slid in trying to make contact but sliced his left footed connection past the post. Josh was limping a bit and was soon replaced by Henderson.

Hibs were piling it on now and had Aberdeen defending in depth as Nisbet had a shot blocked and then Youan was through on goal but as he made to shoot, Macdonald got in a late block to deny the Hibs man a goal. The ball fell to Henderson who set up Newell near the edge of the box where Joe made a bit of space for a shot but curled the effort beyond the far post. Jeggo then set up Youan again, but Roos tipped the strikers shot around the post. From the resultant corner, Youan’s head flick struck the bar and the ball fell to substitute McKirdy at the back post. Harry struck the ball well and a goal looked certain as Roos was on the ground, but the ball struck Coulson on his elbow/upper arm and following a lengthy VAR review a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Kevin Nisbet who chose to drive the ball down the middle, but that ball struck the diving Roos on the leg and flew to safety. Kev chose to go down the middle but should surely have gone higher as what happened is always a risk if you go low.

As time ran down, Hibs still looked the likelier to score but the disappointment of that penalty miss loomed large as both McKirdy and Egan-Riley earned bookings in taking one for the team. Moving in to seven added minutes, neither side really created chances and so had to settle for a point a piece.

Given the result in Paisley, a win at Pittodrie would have been huge for Hibs as they strive to finish in a European place, but it was not to be.

The players

Marshall – Had only one save of any note to make and kept goal well throughout.

Edan-Riley – Looked solid throughout and barely put a foot wrong.

Fish – Commanding in the air and positive on the ground with his distribution.

Hanlon – Rarely troubled and when he was, he dealt with it.

Stevenson – Lewis just keeps churning out high quality performances. Both he and Egan-Riley pretty much nullified any threat from the lively Duk.

Cadden – I’m much happier when Chris plays in front of Egan-Riley and feel he’s better there than at full back.

Campbell – A smidgen quicker and he’d have caught Cadden’s cut back just right.

Newell – Always involved and always looking to push the team forward.

Youan – Outstanding and so unlucky not to grab at least one goal. My man of the match.

Nisbet – Por choice regarding the penalty and he’ll be only too aware of that.

Henderson – Contributed well and made decent use of the ball.

McKirdy – Watch his shot in slow motion at the penalty incident as the ball was net bound until the deflection. So unlucky for him.

Lee Johnson – I’m sure will be proud of his players, mixed with regrets that we couldn’t get the three points our performance deserved.

Referee – Nick Walsh was fine, and you won’t catch me saying that very often.