BATTERED and bloodied Graeme Shinnie today claimed winning the top-three scrap with Hearts proved the Dons will not be bullied.

The Dons held their own against the Jambos’ strong-arm tactics to strengthen their hold on the Premiership’s second spot.

Hearts conceded 26 fouls but Aberdeen refused to buckle in a 1-0 win to move seven points clear of third-placed Maroons.

Shinnie said: “We showed we are willing to dig deep and be physical too.”

Shinnie’s face bore the marks of a man who had gone to war for the Dons in a brutal encounter.

He needed stitches to a wound to his head caused by a flailing elbow from Hearts striker Osman Sow.

Dons defender Mark Reynolds was also forced to go off early after suffering a broken nose.