Instant analysis: Hearts can't stem flow as Dons turn tide

Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring in the first half before Bojan Miovski drew the Dons level early on in the second, with Leighton Clarkson then striking the winning goal in the 92nd minute. It was no less than the hosts deserved.

Here are four talking points from a disappointing afternoon for Hearts.

Hearts can’t end Pittodrie hoodoo

Hearts’ record at Pittodrie hasn’t been the greatest in recent years. Not since 2016 had the men from Gorgie returned home from the North East with three points in tow, and Naismith’s side were unable to upset that particular apple cart at long last on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon in Aberdeen.

History wasn’t on Hearts’ side but with Aberdeen occupying 11th place in the Premiership standings and with just three league victories under their belt this season heading into this one, this match represented a very real opportunity to put that dreadful record to bed. But it was one that Hearts let slip through their fingers.

This was no match for the purists. Both teams deployed high defensive lines – leaving oceans of space in behind for attackers to race into – but neither Hearts nor Aberdeen could take advantage regularly. There was the odd occasion where someone would find some space in behind out wide, but the delivery was often lacking. It was a game where both teams looked to counter-attack and break at pace, but neither could quite manage it.

After taking a first-half lead, the visitors ensured they didn’t take any unnecessary risks and kept things tight at the back up until the break. Aberdeen rallied at the break though, starting the second half strongly as Hearts found themselves increasingly pinned back inside their own half. Bojan Miovski’s composed equaliser had a touch of inevitability about it. The momentum had shifted, and Aberdeen started committing men forward and going long - to great effect.

It looked as though Hearts might just hold on for a point, but a late goal from Leighton Clarkson ensured that the visitors would go home empty-handed. Duk, a second-half substitute, sprung forward on the counter and played an inviting ball across the face of goal, and Clarkson gleefully rifled the ball home to claim the victory for Barry Robson’s men.

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Hearts finally making most of set-pieces

Set-pieces at both ends of the park have been a point of interest for Hearts supporters this season. On the one hand, Naismith’s side are the only top-flight team not to have shipped a single goal from a free kick or a corner so far this season – a feat undoubtedly aided by bringing the whole team back to defend set-pieces – but on the other, it’s hard not to notice how wasteful Hearts have been this season at the other end. Only Celtic win more attacking set-pieces per game than the men in maroon, yet only one had resulted in a goal this term.

Hearts doubled their tally from set-pieces for the season on the 20-minute mark at Pittodrie, with Lawrence Shankland stooping to meet Alex Cochrane’s excellent delivery to hand Hearts an early lead, setting up the visitors on their way to an important victory. It was a welcome sight for the travelling supporters, who had waited until last month’s 2-1 win away at Motherwell to see their side find the net from a dead-ball situation.

With two goals from corners in their last five outings, Hearts are finally making the most of the ample opportunities afforded to them from attacking set-pieces. After being fairly toothless at dead-ball situations for much of the campaign, Hearts are now looking… well, deadly.

Changes but no real change

Hearts struggled to get going in the second half at Pittodrie, and the away side could consider themselves fortunate to return to the capital with a share of the spoils after failing to truly lay a glove on their opponents during the second 45.

Naismith’s in-game decisions have often paid off for Hearts – it’s not unusual for the men in maroon to finish a game stronger than they started it – but the head coach’s substitutions weren’t as effective on this occasion. Kyosuke Tagawa and Jorge Grant were brought on for the final half hour without making much of an impact, and the later changes made by the Hearts head coach were unable to shift the momentum either. The Dons maintained their advantage, and Hearts could have few complaints with the final score.

There was, however, one major positive – the return of Craig Halkett. Almost a year to the day since suffering a serious injury, the centre-half returned to action when he was brought on for the final 20 minutes or so to shore things up at the back for Hearts. He is still to get fully up to speed, but his steady presence at the back has been missed.

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Robson relieves the pressure

One swallow does not make a summer but this was a hugely important victory for Barry Robson and Aberdeen. The Dons move up to ninth place in the standings, but have played a game or two fewer than the teams around them, and this result will go a long way to lifting the mood music around Pittodrie.

Robson is not out of the woods yet but this was a crucial three points gained ahead of next weekend’s League Cup final, as well as a timely confidence boost. A late surge up the table last season was enough for Aberdeen to overhaul Hearts and claim that all-important third place – and the guarantee of European group-stage football – and the Dons boss will be hoping that history repeats itself. Naismith, however, will be hoping that this was little more than an off-day from his side.