Hibernian 1 Aberdeen 1

Last updated : 30 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Scott Brown rescued a point for Hibs with a late strike but Aberdeen had goalkeeper David Preece to thank for keeping them in it.

He produced several first-class saves to keep out a Hibs side who had chances to bury the game in the second half.

As it was, they had to be content with Brown's strike after 72 minutes after Garry O'Connor put him through.

Teenage midfielder Scott Muirhead started his first game for Aberdeen and almost scored in the opening minute.

He beat the Hibs' offside trap to chase a pass from Paul Sheerin but Daniel Andersson spread himself well to produce a fine save.

But Aberdeen were not to be denied and Russell Anderson headed them in front after just six minutes when he met a Steve Tosh corner to leave Andersson with no chance.

It was an entertaining match with both teams prepared to go forward at every opportunity.

O'Connor saw a low shot saved by Preece at his near-post and then headed a Jarkko Wiss corner wide when he should have done much better.

The closest Hibs came to a goal in the first half was when Brown released Ian Murray, but the midfielder's shot came back off the face of the crossbar.

Tam McManus pounced on the rebound but his first-time effort was scrambled clear by the alert Preece.

Hibs came close again four minutes from the break when a Yannick Zambernardi shot was headed off the line by Jamie McQuilken with Preece beaten.

The home side had the better of the second half but Grant Brebner struck a post with only Preece to beat and the goalkeeper made one-handed saves to deny O'Connor and Derek Riordan.

But Aberdeen dug in for the point as Hibs threatened to swamp them at times.