An early opener from Cato Guntveit was enough to secure three points for Aberdeen and keep their slim hopes of a top six place alive.

Guntveit fired home the winner within two minutes of the game kicking off to give the Dons an early advantage.

And the Easter Road side could not break down the Aberdeen defence in the 88 minutes that followed to take something from the game.

That sees Hibs' chances of claiming a Champions League spot falter as Rangers have the opportunity to extend their three-point lead over Hibs against Dundee at Ibrox.

Despite his winning goal against Kilmarnock on Saturday, youngster Tam McManus failed to make the starting line-up for Hibernian's league game against Aberdeen.

But more surprisingly was the relegation of Russell Latapy to the bench alongside McManus, as speculation continues about his future at Easter Road.

Martin McIntosh was making his first start for five months for the Edinburgh club and he got off to a nightmare start when he gifted possession to Guntveit in front of goal.

The Dons player made no mistake when he smashed home the opener within just two minutes of the game kicking-off.

Arild Stavrum came close to doubling that advantage two minutes later when a delightful flick just a few yards out was held by goalkeeper Nick Colgan.

Hibs were struggling to create much pressure in front of goal although Lyndon Andrews was looking promising.

The Trinidad and Tobago international tried to release Grant Brebner in front of goal after 17 minutes but the Hibs player just failed to connect.

Derek Young had the chance to add to Aberdeen's lead after 26 minutes but his glancing header from a Kevin McNaughton cross fell just wide.

The Dons looked to have suffered a blow when Derek Whyte - who has just returned from a calf injury - looked to have injured his left arm. But he returned to play after a couple of minutes.

Hibs could have pulled level after 39 minutes but Mixu Paatelainen was denied at close range by goalkeeper Ryan Esson before he could pull the trigger and the young keeper also managed to block the follow-up by John O'Neil.

Hibs were threatening again three minutes before the break. This time Stuart Lovell's cross picked out Mark Libbra - but his header was easily held by the Dons goalkeeper.

Aberdeen almost started the second half the same way they began the first when Robbie Winters' corner was met by Darren Young about 25 yards out, whose shot flew just over the crossbar.

Latapy had replaced his fellow countryman Andrews at half time and he made his presence felt after 48 minutes. Grant Brebner sent a short free-kick to the Latapy but his shot deflected just wide.

A minute later, Winters should have netted when he had a shot at goal just outside the six-yard box but sent the ball straight to the keeper.

Darren Young's long-range effort from a Stavrum cross after 54 minutes was just wide and Stavrum himself came close with an effort that was blocked by the keeper a minute later.

Brebner could have dragged Hibs back into the game four minutes later from a Stuart Lovell pass but he sent the shot wide of the post.

McIntosh narrowly missed disaster when he almost sent the ball into his own net from a Winters cross into the box just before the hour mark.

David Rowson had the chance to kill the game off 10 minutes from time when he met a Stavrum cross but his header was easily held by Colgan.

It was the Hibs goalkeeper who kept Alex McLeish's men in the game a minute later when he produced a great save to deny Stavrum.

But his efforts proved to be in vain as Hibs failed to break down the Dons' defence, allowing all three points to go to the Pittodrie side.