Aberdeen striker Kevin Nisbet scored a stunning winner to inflict a first William Hill Premiership defeat for more than four months on former club Hibernian and leave the two sides level on points in the battle for third place.

The Hibees looked on course to set a new club record of 18 top-flight matches in a row unbeaten until the on-loan Millwall forward – who spent three seasons at Easter Road between 2020 and 2023 – eked out a 1-0 victory for the Dons with a magnificent volley in the 80th minute.

It was another huge result for Jimmy Thelin’s resurgent side just a week after they defeated Hearts at Hampden to reach the Scottish Cup final.

Hibs, who suffered their first league defeat since December 7, remain third but only on goal difference from the Dons, with both sides now three points clear of fifth-placed Dundee United.

Thelin sent out the same XI that started the semi-final victory, while Hibs manager David Gray, who signed a contract extension this week, made three changes to the side that started the 4-0 win over Dundee as Warren O’Hora, Josh Campbell and Kieron Bowie replaced Lewis Miller, Junior Hoilett and Mykola Kuharevich.

The visitors had the first attempt of the game in the fourth minute when Martin Boyle fizzed a low shot just wide from the edge of the box after Dylan Levitt nicked possession, while Aberdeen were attempting to play out from the back.

The Hibees threatened again from a couple of set-pieces. Campbell headed against the post in the 10th minute after being picked out by Jordan Obita’s inswinging free-kick from the right before Jack Iredale saw a header from an Obita corner turned over the crossbar by team-mate Rocky Bushiri.

Aberdeen’s first real opportunity came in the 18th minute but Bushiri made two important blocks on the edge of his own six-yard box to deny Pape Gueye and Topi Keskinen in quick succession, much to the delight of the travelling support.

Nisbet then saw a low shot on the turn from inside the box saved by Jordan Smith as a cagey first half ended in stalemate.

The visitors started the second half brightly and Campbell went close against as he headed just wide from Chris Cadden’s cross.

Aberdeen boss Thelin made a bold move in the 58th minute when he sent on Jamie McGrath for his first Pittodrie appearance since he agreed a pre-contract with Hibs in February. The midfielder was booed on to the pitch by sections of the home support.

Bushiri headed over from an Obita corner in the 65th minute as Hibs looked the likelier side to make the breakthrough.

But Nisbet – who saw a 69th-minute effort ruled out for offside – conjured the decisive moment of the match with 10 minutes left when Bushiri headed Graeme Shinnie’s cross out and Nisbet took the ball down on his chest and lobbed a superbly volley high beyond Smith, sparking jubilant scenes among the home support.