Hibernian took a big step towards Scottish Premier League survival after victory over Aberdeen moved them five points clear of the relegation spot.
Mark Reynolds' own goal from Leigh Griffiths' cross put Hibs ahead.
And defender Sean O'Hanlon doubled the Leith club's advantage when he flicked a header past Jamie Langfield.
Aberdeen striker Scott Vernon volleyed home from close range to get the Dons back into the match but, despite looking nervy, Hibs held on.
And they can clinch safety if they avoid defeat against bottom club Dunfermline on Monday evening.
Griffiths proved key to opening the scoring when he drilled the ball across the six-yard line for the unfortunate Reynolds to deflect into the net on seven minutes.
Hibs were dominating and O'Hanlon flicked a header into the back of the net from a Griffiths corner to double the visitors' advantage 10 minutes later.
The Dons did manage to carve out a chance with Kari Arnason picking up Jamie Masson's long-range pass, but the Icelander could not control the ball.
However, this move did expose some of Hibs' all-too-familiar defensive frailties, with neither O'Hanlon or Paul Hanlon picking up Arnason.
As the first half wore on Aberdeen gained a sense of urgency, but, on several occasions, their strikers were caught offside as the ball came forward.
Hibs then countered, with Griffiths exposing some half-hearted Aberdeen defending, but flicking his shot over the bar.
The lively Griffiths then picked up a route one ball from his goalkeeper to split the Dons defence, but his fierce effort flew past Langfield's left-hand post.
The second half started brightly and Vernon volleyed home after Gavin Rae headed the ball back across goal to get Aberdeen back into the match.
The goal gave the home side confidence, and they enjoyed a spell of dominance but failed to carve out much in the way of clear chances.
However, Arnason took the intiative and lashed a drive from 25 yards which keeper Mark Brown had to look lively to tip over the bar.
Hibs did manage a rare break up the field and Roy O'Donovan set up fellow substitute David Wotherspoon inside the box, but the left-sided player lofted his shot over the bar.
The nerves in the visitors' defence were showing, but Aberdeen's Josh Magennis headed an injury-time corner over the bar and the capital side left with the points.
OSM news service
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