Lewis Ferguson claimed red-carded Ryan Porteous tried to get in his head on Saturday afternoon.
But it backfired as Aberdeen’s full focus was all about sneaking into the top six.
Hibs went ahead through a Calvin Ramsay own goal but Jim Goodwin claimed his first win as Dons manager thanks to a Ferguson penalty double and a late strike from Vicente Besuijen.
Visiting boss Shaun Maloney felt the first penalty shouldn’t have been given because Connor Barron’s shot came off Rocky Bushiri’s knee then his hand. He appeared to have a case.
Hibs defender Porteous attempted to play mind games by claiming Kevin Dabrowski was a top penalty stopper before Ferguson stepped up and sent him the wrong way to level.
The Dons midfielder said: “I know Porto. I’ve played with him plenty of times through Scotland and through the different age groups.
“He was just telling me how good the keeper was at saving penalties – as he does.
“You know what he’s like. I was just standing, listening to him, then put my penalty down the middle.
“I gave him a wee bit on the way back and told him the keeper did well there. He’s obviously trying to put me off by saying how good the keeper is at saving penalties.
“He’s just trying to put me off a bit but I’d probably try the same with him to be honest if he was taking a penalty. It was just a bit of a laugh.”
Aberdeen were given a second spot-kick in the second period. David Bates cracked a header off the bar and Porteous took out Ross McCrorie as the Dons man went to net.
Maloney agreed it was a penalty but didn’t think it was a sending-off as his defender tried to play the ball. He plans to appeal.
But Ferguson revealed he was screaming for the sending-off before he stepped up to beat Dabrowski again and put Aberdeen ahead.
Ferguson said: “I was right in front of it. I think Ross had an open goal.
“He’s wiped him out. I think the rule states if he tries and gets the ball then it’s a yellow card.
“I was obviously shouting for a straight red. That’s just part and parcel of it. He probably does go for the ball but he does wipe out Ross right in front of goal.
“So I can see why the ref has given it but I can also see why the Hibs manager isn’t too happy.”
Ferguson might have missed the first penalty of his career against Hearts but had no concerns about being put on the spot again.
His double took the Scotland international’s impressive tally for the season to 14.
He, along with McCrorie and Connor Barron, was a real driving force in the midfield while Declan Gallagher and David Bates were solid at the back. Former Hamilton star Ferguson added: “It’s something I wanted to add to my game. I think after my first season I got eight. Then I just wanted to keep bettering that.
“The second season I only managed three but I want to keep bettering that every season. I’ve managed to do that so far this season and that’s been my aim.”
Aberdeen sealed the win when sub Marley Watkins swung in a cross and Beisuijen crashed a right-foot shot high past Dabrowski. Aberdeen desperately needed the points and the victory took them to within two points of the top six and four behind fourth.
Ferguson now wants his team to claim maximum points from the upcoming matches before the split against Dundee and Ross County at home.
He said: “Nothing’s changed. If we’re going to get in the top six we need to win the next two games.
“We need to prepare ourselves for that and hopefully go put on winning performances.
“We know a win can take you up a couple of places because of how tight the league is and there’s not a lot of points between it.”
Aberdeen showed good character to come back but Hibs were really poor and looked like a side who had won one league game this year.
Yes, they have injuries but they need to show more attacking intent. They only had one shot on target and their goal came from Ramsay putting a Chris Cadden cross into his own net.
Hibs are in the top six but have Dundee United and Hearts before the split and unless they improve they could end up missing out.
