Thursday 12 May 2016 23:30, UK
Aberdeen slipped to only their second home defeat of the season as Hearts' Abiola Dauda grabbed the only goal of the game at Pittodrie.
Abiola Dauda's second-half strike separated the teams as the Jambos defeated the Dons for the second time in a matter of weeks.
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson said: "I'm pleased with the result because we took a big fan base up here.
"We have played five games (this season) against Aberdeen and won three, which is great, but we need to carry that through to next season to try and get closer to them and overtake them if we can."
Aberdeen came into the match with the aim of bettering last season's points tally, knowing wins over Neilson's team and then Ross County on Sunday would surpass last year's haul of 75.
They handed a first start to Scott McKenna, the young defender taking the place of Mark Reynolds, who dropped down to the bench following Sunday's 3-2 defeat against Celtic.
Hearts, who beat Aberdeen 2-1 at home last month, also took the opportunity to blood a rookie with Jack Hamilton deputising for Neil Alexander in goal.
Hearts threatened as Prince Buaben's 20-yard effort took a deflection and was tipped behind for a corner by Adam Collin.
Just before the hour mark, McGinn went close to breaking the deadlock, bending an 18-yard effort just wide of the upright after the Dons did well to keep alive a Hayes corner.
But it was Hearts who made the decisive breakthrough in the 64th minute from a free-kick.
Alim Ozturk's powerful drive from 25 yards was parried by Collin and Dauda reacted first to prod home the rebound.
Aberdeen, without injured strikers Adam Rooney and Simon Church, were lightweight in attack as they chased a leveller but Hearts comfortably saw the match out with minimal fuss.
Derek McInnes said: "I thought we were the better team but lacked a number nine's movement in the box when we got into good areas."
