Aberdeen v Hibs reaction

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown was pleased to finally end his side's wait for a home victory with a 2-1 win over Hibernian.

Gavin Rae netted the winner after Niall McGinn's early opener for the hosts had been cancelled out by a stunning strike from Eoin Doyle in an entertaining encounter at Pittodrie.

The Dons, now unbeaten in their last nine matches, had drawn their first four home matches of the new Scottish Premier League season.

Brown felt his side's performance today was not as good as previous ones at home this season, but was nevertheless happy to finally get a three-point haul in front of their own fans.

He said: "It was a good response from the players as we had been appealing to them to get a home win for the fans.

"We did not play as well today as we did in the three games which ended 0-0. We played better in each of those three matches but did not get a break.

"Today we got the goals and although we did not play as well as we have done I think we squeezed enough out of the team to win the match deservedly.

"We have gone nine games without losing which is good but five of them were draws which is what I have been complaining to the team about. I was saying to them at half-time to go out and imagine that you are a goal down rather than accepting the draw.

"I think you saw the urgency in the second half to try to get a victory for the fans."

The Dons boss singled out substitute Josh Magennis for the impact he had on the game. The Northern Irishman almost scored with a header within 60 seconds of coming on before providing the assist for Rae's winner.

Brown added: "He is a very powerful and influential guy for us. He had a tight calf so we started him on the bench as we have a solid pool of players now and can still compete with being a player or two short.

"Josh can play up front as well as at full back so I have a major selection headache now. They say he started as a goalkeeper and I haven't seen him there apart from a few saved shots in training but his versatility is certainly a good thing."

Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon, whose side would have topped the SPL had they won, admitted it was a missed opportunity.

He said: "We actually started brilliantly and had a corner in the first minute before we gave away a sloppy goal. We are disappointed with the goals we conceded. There was not much in the game and I think a draw might have been the fairer result."

The Hibs boss also lavished praise on Doyle for his superb equaliser as well as the partnership he is forging with Leigh Griffiths.

He added: "He is playing with real confidence at the moment. Leigh is probably taking a lot of the credit but Eoin's work-rate has been fantastic and he is chipping in with goals now, which is a real plus. They look a handful together and a decent partnership."