The visitors appeared to be in control after Christian Doidge's opener, but Steven Whittaker's dismissal for two bookings changed the game.

Adam Jackson turned into his own net just after the hour, then Andrew Considine scrambled in from a corner two minutes later, before Curtis Main finished coolly to seal the points for Derek McInnes's side.

And the Dons could overtake Well when the sides meet at Fir Park on Friday.

Hibs remain sixth, two points off Livingston but now just a point above St Johnstone.

Hibs lose discipline after strong start

Visiting head coach Jack Ross said before kick-off his side needed to win to have a realistic chance of finishing higher up the table and their first-half performance would have given him confidence.

The Easter Road side appeared more adept at hitting the target with Doidge's header blocked on the line by Joe Lewis and the goalkeeper also called into action to deny Jamie Gullan, who started in place of the suspended Marc McNulty.

Aberdeen, still without top scorer Sam Cosgrove, struggled to threaten Ofir Marciano, with Lewis Ferguson and Matty Kennedy both knocking efforts wide.

And the hosts looked suspect defensively when Scott Allan picked out Doidge through a square defence and the striker escaped Lewis to score for the 18th time this season.

As McInnes's side tried to muster a response, Ferguson claimed in vain for a penalty after tussling with Greg Docherty, referee John Beaton seemingly of the view the midfielder gave as good as he got.

But referee Beaton's next significant decision would change the course of the match. Whittaker had been booked for a first-half challenge on Ferguson and a lunge on the midfielder early in the second period left the official no option but to send him off.

Aberdeen were roused and Niall McGinn took matters into his own hands, crossing for Jackson to slice past Ofir Marciano. And the Northern Ireland international took the corner on the left that ended with Considine poking the ball in at the back post.

The defender spoke earlier in the week about his hopes of being included in the Scotland squad and though national boss Steve Clarke will be more interested in his prowess at the back, every little helps.

Aberdeen continued to press and the Hibs defence was all at sea as McGinn played a low ball in from the right, Main the ultimate beneficiary with his fourth goal of the season after substitute Bruce Anderson's shot had been blocked.

Man of the match - Niall McGinn

BBC Scotland's Tyrone Smith at Pittodrie

Aberdeen turned this game on its head. Whittaker's sending off undoubtedly helped, but so did a McGinn masterclass.

There was a real slice of luck when his cross was deflected into the Hibs net, but his delivery all day was exemplary. Every ball in was measured, accurate and pinpoint, providing a creative spark which ignited the match for the hosts.

'Sending off pivotal' - reaction

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "I'm delighted to come out on top. We lose a poor goal and had it all to do, but the players just set about the task.

"It changes massively for us when Whittaker gets sent off, deservedly. We still had to be positive. I thought we were worthy winners because the second-half performance was so good."

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross: "I'm disappointed and frustrated because we came here to try and win the game and were in a good position to do so.

"Undoubtedly the sending off was a pivotal moment. It gives Aberdeen fresh impetus and an obvious advantage. We need to be better at dealing with that period of adversity."