Aberdeen 2 Hearts 0

Kenny Crawford BBC Sport Scotland

Niall McGinn's brace gave Aberdeen their first win against Hearts in 10 meetings and secured Craig Brown a home win in his penultimate game as manager.

The Dons' first came when Ryan Jack and Jonny Hayes combined to leave McGinn with a simple finish.

John Sutton hit the post for Hearts but McGinn scored again after the break, beating two players and curling past visiting keeper Jamie McDonald.

Danny Wilson's shot was cleared off the line to prevent Hearts replying.

With one game left before the Scottish Premier League splits, Aberdeen remain level on points with sixth-place Kilmarnock and have a real chance of nipping into the top half just in time for incoming manager Derek McInnes to take over.

In his last Pittodrie fixture in charge of the Dons, Brown cajoled his team not only to a first win versus Hearts during his tenure, but also a first goal scored against the Tynecastle side since he took the reins in 2010.

Hearts had the game's opening chance when Jamie Walker robbed the ball from his Scotland Under-21 colleague Clark Roberston to play in Michael Ngoo, but goalkeeper Jamie Langfield was quick off his line to block with his chest.
Brown and Knox

Aberdeen's Craig Brown and Archie Knox tasted victory in their last home game in charge

Then, almost 835 minutes of football after their last goal against the Edinburgh outfit, Aberdeen eventually got that monkey off their back.

Running from deep, Jack split Hearts' defence with an excellent pass to Hayes, who waited on MacDonald to bear down before squaring for McGinn, who stroked into an empty net for his 18th of the season.

Sutton went close to a Hearts equaliser by getting his left foot on Walker's cut-back but though Langfield was beaten the post was not.

Gary Locke's men were applying most of the pressure and the busy Walker was next to draw a decent save from Langfield following Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Taouil's threaded pass.

Before the break the hosts fashioned another opening but Josh Magennis blasted his right-footed shot high into the Merkland Stand.
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The Dons have relied heavily on McGinn's goals this season and he added to his personal tally 10 minutes after the break.

Dribbling past Taouil and McGowan on the left, the Northern Irishman entered the box and curled a side-footer past MacDonald into the far corner.

And in search of a hat-trick, McGinn smashed in an effort that was blocked and then went down in the box under a challenge from Wilson. However, referee Willie Collum booked the forward for simulation.

Hearts did not give up and Wilson's goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by Hayes before Locke brought on Jamie Hamill for his first appearance in almost a year following a serious knee injury.

Magennis bore down on Andy Webster's mistake to run clear but failed to make Hearts pay by shooting straight at MacDonald.

Hamill was on hand to deny Aberdeen's McGinn again late on, and Langfield did likewise to Ngoo to maintain his clean-sheet.
Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)
Aberdeen

01 Langfield
02 Jack (Smith - 90' )
03 Robertson
04 Anderson
22 Reynolds
23 Shaughnessy
05 Rae
10 McGinn Booked
11 Hayes (Pawlett - 84' )
09 Vernon
21 Magennis (Low - 86' )

Substitutes

30 Rogers
13 Low
08 Milsom
15 Pawlett
14 Fallon
34 McManus
38 Smith

Heart of Midlothian

01 MacDonald
04 Wilson
06 Webster Booked
29 McHattie
07 Stevenson
10 Taouil
14 Walker
19 McGowan Booked (Hamill - 59' )
27 Tapping (Novikovas - 59' )
09 Sutton (Carrick - 79' )
21 Ngoo Booked

Substitutes

31 Hamilton
28 McKay
02 Hamill
15 Holt
12 Smith
18 Novikovas
37 Carrick

Ref: Collum
Att: 10,175

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +3:06 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00 +1:45

The ball is delivered by Niall McGinn, Header from deep inside the area by Cameron Smith goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
90:00 +1:17

Michael Ngoo takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield.
90:00 +0:17

Effort on goal by Kevin McHattie from inside the box misses to the right of the target.
88:55 Substitution

Substitution Cameron Smith joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ryan Jack.
88:55

Outswinging corner taken by Peter Pawlett from the left by-line.
86:37

Mark Reynolds crosses the ball, Shot by Gavin Rae. Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
86:37 Booking

Booking Andy Webster is shown a yellow card.
86:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Niall McGinn by Andy Webster.
86:05

The official flags Scott Vernon offside. Mehdi Taouil takes the indirect free kick.
85:02

Jamie Langfield restarts play with the free kick.
85:02 Substitution

Substitution Nicky Low on for Josh Magennis.
85:02

Foul by Michael Ngoo on Russell Anderson, free kick awarded.
85:02 Booking

Booking Michael Ngoo receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
84:07

Jamie Hamill challenges Niall McGinn unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
82:58

Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
82:58 Substitution

Substitution Peter Pawlett is brought on as a substitute for Johnny Hayes.
82:58

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Vernon on Jamie MacDonald.
78:15 Substitution

Substitution John Sutton goes off and Dale Carrick comes on.
76:23

Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Save made by Jamie Langfield.
74:21

A cross is delivered by Johnny Hayes, save by Jamie MacDonald.
70:00

Josh Magennis takes a shot. Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
68:55

Inswinging corner taken by Jamie Walker from the left by-line, clearance by Mark Reynolds.
68:02

Josh Magennis is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
64:41

Arvydas Novikovas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Reynolds. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.
63:39

Mehdi Taouil produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
61:49

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jamie Walker, Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Josh Magennis makes a clearance.
60:44 Booking

Booking The referee shows Niall McGinn a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
59:53

Effort from inside the area by Michael Ngoo misses to the left of the target.
58:09 Substitution

Substitution (Hearts) makes a substitution, with Arvydas Novikovas coming on for Callum Tapping.
58:09 Substitution

Substitution Jamie Hamill is brought on as a substitute for Dylan McGowan.
57:10

Niall McGinn takes a shot. Blocked by Dylan McGowan.
54:19 Goal scored

Goal - Niall McGinn - Aberdeen 2 - 0 Hearts Niall McGinn fires in a goal from inside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Aberdeen 2-0 Hearts.
53:24

The official flags Michael Ngoo offside. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.
52:35

The assistant referee signals for offside against Josh Magennis. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
50:23

Jamie Walker takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.
47:40

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line to the near post, Kevin McHattie makes a clearance.
45:33

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the left by-line played to the near post, Michael Ngoo manages to make a clearance.
45:01

The referee gets the second half started.
45:00 +0:13 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.
44:50

Header from deep inside the penalty area by Niall McGinn goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
43:25

Shot from deep inside the area by Michael Ngoo goes over the bar.
42:50

Danny Wilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Magennis. Joe Shaughnessy takes the direct free kick.
42:02

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Gavin Rae. Direct free kick taken by Mehdi Taouil.
40:15

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Stevenson on Scott Vernon. Jamie Langfield restarts play with the free kick.
39:29

Jamie Walker takes a shot. Save by Jamie Langfield.
37:15

Mehdi Taouil fouled by Gavin Rae, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Kevin McHattie, clearance by Russell Anderson.
35:27

Unfair challenge on Joe Shaughnessy by Jamie Walker results in a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.
34:04

Russell Anderson challenges John Sutton unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kevin McHattie fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick. Jamie Walker takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Joe Shaughnessy.
32:50

Andy Webster fouled by Josh Magennis, the ref awards a free kick. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
31:17

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line, Josh Magennis has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
29:07

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
28:06

John Sutton has an effort at goal from inside the penalty box hitting the post.
28:06

Shot by John Sutton from inside the box bounces off the post.
27:13

Andy Webster gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Josh Magennis. Ryan Jack takes the free kick.
26:15

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Niall McGinn.
25:59

Josh Magennis takes a shot. Clearance by Danny Wilson.
25:14

Unfair challenge on Jamie Walker by Joe Shaughnessy results in a free kick. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
24:41

Ryan Stevenson challenges Gavin Rae unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Johnny Hayes.
24:05

Free kick taken by Ryan Jack.
24:05 Booking

Booking Dylan McGowan is booked.
24:00

The referee penalises Dylan McGowan for handball.
22:40

Niall McGinn takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald.
22:19

The ball is crossed by Johnny Hayes, Dylan McGowan manages to make a clearance.
21:03

Unfair challenge on Gavin Rae by Ryan Stevenson results in a free kick. Ryan Jack restarts play with the free kick.
18:12

Corner taken by Kevin McHattie played to the near post, clearance by Mark Reynolds.
17:57

John Sutton takes a shot. Jamie Langfield makes a save.
17:25

Kevin McHattie fouled by Scott Vernon, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Danny Wilson.
14:53

Long range shot by Clark Robertson goes over the target.
14:23

Johnny Hayes decides to take a short corner.
10:57

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes played to the near post, clearance by Callum Tapping.
10:46

Scott Vernon takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Webster.
9:04

Assist on the goal came from Johnny Hayes.
9:04 Goal scored

Goal - Niall McGinn - Aberdeen 1 - 0 Hearts Niall McGinn finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Aberdeen 1-0 Hearts.
6:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Joe Shaughnessy. Kevin McHattie takes the free kick.
6:04

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
5:28

Michael Ngoo gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Russell Anderson. Mark Reynolds takes the direct free kick.
4:39

Unfair challenge on Russell Anderson by Michael Ngoo results in a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick.
3:36

Michael Ngoo takes a shot. Jamie Langfield makes a save.
2:12

Free kick awarded for a foul by Clark Robertson on Jamie Walker. Dylan McGowan takes the free kick, Jamie Walker crosses the ball, Clark Robertson manages to make a clearance. Corner from right by-line taken by Kevin McHattie.
1:35

Shot on goal by Gavin Rae from just inside the area goes over the target.
0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

Taken from the BBC