Matches between Hibernian and Aberdeen have had their fair share of drama over the years - and tonight's encounter was up there with the best of them. Aberdeen led by two goals at the break and looked odds-on for the three points, before an incredible second half fight-back from Hibernian earned the Easter Road men a deserved share of the spoils.

It was a stunning come-back, but fitting in what was a stunning game of football for which both sides deserve great credit. John Hughes had made only a single change from the side that defeated Montrose so comprehensively at the weekend, Paul Hanlon dropping to the substitute's bench to make way for the return of Souleymane Bamba. By the end of the match however the Hibernian boss had thrown caution to the wind with five strikers lining up against a stubborn Aberdeen who were hanging on grimly - and just about made it.

The visitors got the action underway and they started brightly, looking to get forward as often as possible in the opening period of the game. Mark McGhee's men created the first opportunity of the game on 5 minutes when McDonald's attempted a shot from distance was blocked by Bamba before it could test Smith. Hibernian had the ball in the net though on 17 minutes when Stokes drilled a shot across goal and into the far corner of the net after racing on to a through ball from Nish; however the striker had stepped just offside before collecting the ball and the effort didn't stand.

Soon after the home side had a great opportunity to open the scoring when Riordan's free kick to the back post was headed down by Nish to Murray, the defender quickly hooked the ball towards goal but was denied by a great save from Langfield. The goalkeeper did brilliantly to keep the ball out however how much he actually knew of Murray's effort was up for debate. Langfield was to foil Riordan moments later when he comfortably held the striker's drive from 20 yards before Aberdeen opened the scoring on 23 minutes. A deep free kick from Mulgrew was headed to Michael Paton by McDonald and the Aberdeen man made no mistake hooking his effort back across goal and into the far corner of the net.

Although Aberdeen had enjoyed a lot of possession this was their first shot on target, but none the less it was a clinical finish to stun the hosts. Hibernian responded immediately creating a good chance from the restart when Nish connected with Wotherspoon's cut back - his shot was just wide of goal. Both sides then felt they good claims for penalty kicks, but neither impressed referee Thomson who waved play on each time before Aberdeen doubled their lead. Wotherspoon's attempted clearance was blocked and Steven Maclean diverted Aluko's shot over the stranded Smith and into the Hibernian net.

McBride picked up the game's first yellow card on 41 minutes when he cynically took down Foster as Aberdeen burst forward on the counter attack. As the half came to a close Hibernian put the Aberdeen defence under pressure with a couple of corner kicks and were unlucky not to claw a goal back. First Paterson headed a Riordan corner of the back of Kerr and was fortunate the ball did not end up in his own net before Bamba volleyed over again from a Riordan delivery.

Half Time: Hibernian 0 Aberdeen 2

During the half time break Hibernian made a change with Zemmama replacing McBride in the midfield, the Moroccan taking up a wide-right station that would prove troublesome for the Dons throughout the second half. Aberdeen restarted the half well and won a free kick on the edge of the Hibernian penalty area in the opening minute. Free kick specialist Mulgrew took the set piece and he was not far away with a dipping effort that was just too high.

The next goal was crucial and if Hibernian were to have any chance of taking anything from this match they needed to score it - and soon. The home side came close when a corner from Rankin was headed toward goal by Nish, Kerr cleared from just a couple of yards out but his clearance struck Bamba and fortunately for the Aberdeen player the ball ended just over the crossbar. Hibernian got that vital next striker however on 49 minutes. Riordan's long clearance downfield was flicked on by the head of Nish for Anthony Stokes, the striker took his time before drilling a low right foot shot towards the far post, and although Langfield appeared to have it covered the ball changed direction just enough to wrong-foot the goalkeeper and bulge the net.

Buoyed by the fact they were now back in the game Hibernian put Aberdeen under a lot of pressure and Miller shot wide following a headed clearance by Diamond. In an attempt to close down the space available in the middle of the park, Aberdeen replaced Aluko with Lfil on 58 minutes. Sol Bamba was given the game's second caution following a foul on Kerr and from the resulting free kick Aberdeen created a goal scoring opportunity. Mulgrew's delivery picked out McDonald at the back post, he found Maclean but the striker was unable to guide the ball beyond Smith who saved well.

Rankin then flashed an effort wide from distance which was watched all the way by Langfield before Zemmama and McDonald picked up yellow cards for dissent and simulation respectively. Hibernian continued to push hard for an equaliser and they went close again when Murray found Nish with a cross but his header lacked the necessary power to beat Langfield. Bamba then sent a volley wide from the edge of the penalty area before a foul on Stokes saw Hibernian awarded a free kick just outside of the box. Stokes took the free kick himself but disappointingly sent his shot straight into the defensive wall.

On 71 minutes John Hughes withdrew defender Wotherspoon for to allow another striker to enter the field - Benjelloun the latest to join the Hibernian attack. Hibernian again had a good shout for a penalty kick when Diamonds clearance struck Mulgrew on the hand, but to the frustration of the home players and supporters referee Thomson waved play on. Gow replaced Riordan on 75 minutes and shortly after as Aberdeen looked to change Mackie for Duff a melee broke out with players on both sides involved. When calm was restored Miller was cautioned.

Hibernian were throwing more men forward and that meant space at the back - Aberdeen were unlucky not exploit that and put the game beyond Hibernian when Paton's right foot drive came back off the crossbar with Smith beaten. Moments later Aberdeen had another fantastic opportunity to put the result beyond doubt when Maclean put Duff clean through on goal. The substitute was left with only Smith to beat but screwed his left foot drive well wide of target from 25 yards. Aberdeen replaced Paton with yet another defender - Grassi - for the final 5 minutes as space inside the visitors penalty area because a valuable commodity.

Hibernian were awarded a penalty kick seconds later when Gow's cross was headed down by Nish for Stokes, but clearly struck an Aberdeen arm before it could reach the striker. This time there could be no doubt and the referee pointed to the spot - from where Abdessalam Benjelloun delivered a deserved equaliser for his side, coolly sending Langfield the wrong way and scoring his fourth goal of the season.

The Hibernian pressure in this second half had been incredible and the equaliser was no more than their efforts deserved. With 60 seconds of normal time remaining Diamond headed a Mulgrew free kick just wide and with 4 minutes of additional time signalled by the fourth official, no-one was leaving early in this game.

In a dramatic final few moments Hibernian had a great opportunity on the counter attack as Murray broke down the left before finding Benjelloun inside, the Moroccan slipped the ball to Stokes but he was just too wide for a strike at goal and Langfield gathered his cut-back. In the end it was a terrific fighting performance from Hibernian who looked dead and buried at 2-0 down but at the finish thoroughly deserved a share of the spoils - if not more. That said Aberdeen barely deserved anything less, so a draw was perhaps the perfect outcome.

Hibernian: Smith, Hogg, Murray, Wotherspoon, Bamba, McBride, Miller, Rankin, Riordan, Stokes, Nish. Subs: Stack, Hanlon, Zemmama, Cregg, Stevenson, Benjelloun, Gow.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mulgrew, Foster, McDonald, Diamond, Paterson, Paton, Kerr, McLean, Mackie, Aluko. Subs: Nelson, Young, Duff, Grassi, Marshall, Lfil, Fyvie.

Report: Richard Payne