An inspired Aberdeen sent Hibs crashing to their first home defeat of the season with a superb victory.

The Dons were unlucky to lose out to Rangers last week in controversial fashion but carried on their impressive showing to chalk up this deserved win.

They dominated most of the first half but did not take their chances against a strangely lethargic Hibs outfit.

And despite an improved second half showing from Alex McLeish's men striker Arild Stavrum netted from close range midway through the half.

And substitute Andreas Mayer wrapped up the points in the final minute with a similar goal to secure Aberdeen's third win of the season.

The disappointing Easter Road outfit were thwarted by a couple of decent saves from Dons goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

But Aberdeen thoroughly deserved their victory and dealt Hibs a major blow to their title hopes.

Aberdeen were sharp from the start and they missed a great chance to take the lead in the 11th minute when Stavrum ran onto the ball from the excellent Kevin McNaughton's pass only to see his volley tipped over the bar by Hibs keeper Nick Colgan.

French striker Alex Di Rocco was handed his first start for the Dons and caused all sorts of problems in the Hibs rearguard.

First, it took a last gasp tackle from Gary Smith in the 14th minute to prevent him scoring and then nodded a powerful header just wide from the edge of the box.

Cato Guntveit should have done better in the 18th minute when he was sent clear on goal but could only chip the ball harmlessly over the bar.

And the Pittodrie side blew another chance in the 29th minute when Di Rocco could only direct a point-blank header straight to keeper Colgan from Stavrum's cross.

Hibs took 32 minutes to mount their first serious attack when Dirk Lehmann wildly volleyed David Zitelli's cross over the bar.

Aberdeen goalkeeper Esson had two lucky escapes towards the end of the half when his fluffed clearance fell straight to Ian Murray who hesitated and could not produce a shot at goal.

Then the goalkeeper was penalised for picking up a Derek Whyte pass back. However the indirect free-kick from Franck Sauzee was blocked on the line.

Robbie Winters produced a fine save from Colgan who kicked his 58th minute long range drive around the post.

But he could do nothing to prevent Aberdeen taking a 61st minute lead when Winters' measured cross was easily swept into the net from close range by Stavrum.

Stavrum almost extended the lead in the 68th minute when he was sent clear by sub Eoin Jess's excellent pass but as his goalbound shot trickled towards the net as Sauzee recovered to boot the ball clear.

Lehmann's miserable afternoon came to an end in the 72nd minute after he shot straight at Esson to waste a glorious chance.

Esson made two excellent saves towards the end from a Zitelli header and a Sauzee long range free-kick.

And Aberdeen made it two in the final minute when Mayer easily tucked in Winters' low cross to seal an excellent win for the Dons.