Chris Cadden: Ryan Porteous will be big miss if appeal fails - but Hibs have to focus on league games

Restored to his favoured right wing-back role after a spell as an auxiliary centre-back, the 25-year-old played a big part in Hibs’ opener at Pittodrie, his cross being diverted past Joe Lewis by Dons defender Calvin Ramsay.

But that was about as good as it got, Hibs conceding a penalty for handball against Rocky Bushiri just before half-time, another after the interval and a red card for Ryan Porteous, before Vicente Besuijen put the gloss on the scoreline with Aberdeen’s third.

"It was good to go a goal up but the first penalty decision was huge. We’ve kept a lot of clean sheets especially since the gaffer’s come in and been really solid but that first decision was big,” Cadden said afterwards.

"I thought at the time Rocky was unlucky. I think the ball hit Josh Campbell, hit somebody else, hit Rocky’s knee, then his hand.

"I think he was unlucky but personally, I’m not sure it was a penalty. That’s just my opinion though. With the second one, everything happened so quickly that I couldn’t really see exactly what happened.”

Admitting that losing a second goal and a key player didn’t help Hibs in their quest for three points, Cadden revealed the side remained positive and hoped to be able to snatch something at the end.

"Two penalties either side of half time wasn’t great and didn’t help us but once we went a man and a goal down it was an uphill task.

"We knew that, and it was a case of digging in and trying to hold out and maybe get a chance at the end but we weren’t able to do that.”

Hibs now have a break until April 2 when they face Dundee United at Easter Road. The Tannadice side leapfrogged Hibs into fourth thanks to a late winner in their match against St Johnstone. They then travel to city rivals Hearts in the