Mitchell struck his second after 34 minutes before Jerome Vareille made it 3 ahead of an interval that could not stem the tide, Paul Wright's penalty sidefooted in for a resounding 66th minute fourth. Miller recalled transfer-listed John Inglis in a vain bid to bolster his struggling defence with summer capture from Dundee United Mark Perry making way.

Both teams were involved in 0-3 scorelines last week, but while Kilmarnock won by that margin at Dunfermline to stay second, Aberdeen remained ninth after home reverse to Dundee United. Mike Newell was demoted to the bench by Miller who offered youngster Dennis Wyness a rare start as the Dons tried but failed to improve record that now reads 11 wins in their past 43 games.

The Aberdeen support stayed behind to vent their anger at Miller last week, today the majority of the Pittodrie faithful stayed at home with a low travelling contingent. The Dons might have moved ahead in the opening minute when Eoin Jess' flick released Robbie Winters on the right, but his angled drive was beaten away by Gordon Marshall.

Yet after just six minutes Kilmarnock were ahead, an Ian Durrant pass finding Gus Macpherson on the right whose cross picked out Wright.
The striker mishit his effort but the ball spun over the head of Jim Leigton and against the bar before the rebound fell kindly for Mitchell to nod the side 1-0 up.

Wright sent an ambitious chip just wide of the angle after 15 minutes as Kilmarock settled into a rhythm that Aberdeen appeared unable to contain. After 23 minutes, the stylish Durrant fired narrowly wide from distance with a first time strike that had veteran Leighton scrambling to cover. Aberdeen midfielder Pepper might have done better after 27 minutes when he miskicked a through ball from David Rowson that invited a connection from close range.

Pepper needed treatment on the half-hour after being sruk by a powerful Mark Reilly shot from the edge of the box with a Kilmarnock appeal for handball was rejected. Mitchell struck his and Kilmarnock's second goal after 34 minutes after Vareille burst down the right battling past Derek Whye before squaring for his colleague to rifle home. After 38 minutes, Kilmarnock made it 3-0 when Inglis lost possesion to Wright and Durrant set up Vareille who clipped the ball over advancing Leighton from a fine angle.

With the match effectively won, Kilmarnock were able to relax, their only danger complacency, and from a Martin Baker cross, Vareille volleyed wide without breaking stride.Kilmarnock moved a stunning 4-0 in front with a Wright penalty after 66 minutes given for Winters's needless push on Holt following a deep cross from Macpherson.

At the end Durrant recieved a standing ovation for the part he played in his side's 4-0 win.