Aberdeen 4 - 2 Motherwell

In the 12th minute Mackie won a free kick in a dangerous position on the right. Unfortunately Winters went for goal and sent it high and wide. Motherwell were inches from breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute when Kelly collected a cross from the left, controlled it on his chest and hammered it against Preece's left hand post. The Dons took the lead in the 19th minute when Thornley made a dream home debut by firing in a left footed volley. Winters had delivered corner number six and the clearance fell to the Englishman on the edge of the box.

The Dons didn't hold the lead for very long though and it was ex Don Andy Dow that created the equaliser in the 26th minute. His corner was swung in from the right and Karl Ready bulleted the ball into the net. A minute later, Guntveit was booked for a challenge although the decision seemed harsh. Worse was to follow as Motherwell took the lead on the half hour mark. Motherwell were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Dons box and Dow played keepy up before lobbing it over the wall for Kelly to hammer past Preece.

Aberdeen levelled again in the 33rd minute and it was a mistake by Ready that let Winters in. Thornley crossed from the left and Ready took a swipe at fresh air allowing Winters to nip in and score. Motherwell's Elliot was booked in the 45th minute for pulling back McGuire.

The Dons regained the lead in the 54th minute and what a strike it was by Darren Mackie. Neat interplay with Winters set the youngster away. He used his pace to work his way to the edge of the box and hit a sweet drive beyond the despairing Brown. Five minutes later Motherwell replaced Martinez with Tarrant and Aberdeen brought on Zerouali for Thornley. Zerouali almost made a dream start in the 64th minute when he played a neat one two on the edge of the box with Winters. Brown was on hand to save his shot. Darren Young had a great effort denied five minutes later. From a Winters corner the ball broke to Young 25 yards out and Brown had to scramble along his line to tip the ball over. Two minutes later Strong became the fourth booking of the match for persistent fouling.

The Dons extended their lead in the 76th minute and it was the Moroccan, Zerouali that provided the magic. He collected the ball on the left, worked his way to the edge of the box and rifled the ball past Brown. A minute later, Mackie was booked. In the 80th minute, Callum Bett replaced Robbie Winters. The youngster went close in the 84th minute when a Guntveit pass found him in plenty of space inside the box. He snatched at it though and sent the effort high.

Motherwell survived a real goalmouth scramble in the 87th minute as first Zerouali then Guntveit were denied. In the final minute Zerouali set up Mackie, but the youngsters effort was blocked.