Ross County 1 - 2 Aberdeen

Derek McInnes handed Stevie May his debut in place for Nicky Maynard and the new signing was tasked with leading the Dons attack. Gary Mackay-Steven and Greg Stewart both came in for Scott Wright and Ryan Christie after the midweek victory at Hamilton Accies.

There wasn't even 90 seconds on the clock when County took the lead. Shay Logan brought down Michael Gardyne on the left. Gardyne took the free kick and it was met by Craig Curran, who's glancing header evaded Lewis to give the hosts the lead. It was a very poor start from Aberdeen who could not get going. County again surged forward and Christopher Routis fired over with a half volley from outside the box and the Dons were reeling. Kenny Mclean got things going for the visitors in the 12th minute however when he dispossessed a Ross County defender and tested Scott Fox in the County goal, who tipped wide and the defence cleared.
Aberdeen had by now got to grips with the match and they got the equaliser in the 22nd minute. The corner from Tansey was knocked back into the penalty area from Considine - making his 400th appearance for the club - and Mark Reynolds superbly volleyed home to score is first goal since February 2015.
May looked in the mood all afternoon and his energy and drive helped carve out an opportunity a few minutes later, but his shot was saved by Fox. The game had a good tempo to it by now, with both teams passing the ball about well. Gary Mackay-Steven was next to test the Ross County defence with a good run towards goal. His cross found Stewart, who chipped back to Greg Tansey, but unfortunately, he skewed his shot wide.
It was then the turn of Ross County to attack and Michael Gardyne renewed his battle with Shay Logan down the left-hand side. His cross was knocked away by Mackay-Steven and Anthony O'Connor had to clear his lines for a corner. The hosts came back soon after and in the 34th minute should have regained the lead. Gardyne once again found space and got his cross into a dangerous area. Lewis could only palm to the feet of Jason Naismith, but fortunately for The Dons he couldn't find the target and Reynolds cleared.
A draw at half time was probably a fair reflection of the game and both teams will have felt they could have been ahead.

Half Time Ross County 1-1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen started the second half much brighter than they did the first 45 and a dangerous Greg Stewart free kick was inches from connecting to Anthony O'Connor's diving header. Stevie May forced the County defence into a panic and he dispossessed the defence to set up Stewart at the back post. Greg's header was goal bound had it not been for the stretching Fox, who tipped onto the bar and out for the corner.
Fox's services were relied on once again in the 55th minute when Greg Tansey curled in a free kick that was heading for the top corner. Fox saved well and May followed up, but was offside. It was all Dons at this stage and O'Connor saw a long-range strike saved low by Fox once again. Soon after though the visitors deservedly took the lead in the 71st minute through some brilliant play from Mackay-Steven down the left. He beat his man and dinked one to the back post for the brave Logan to nod in ahead of Fox. Remarkably it was Shay's 6th goal against Ross County and he celebrated with a trademark back flip, much to the delight of the 2,275 strong Red Army behind the goal.
Mackay-Steven and Stewart made way for Wright and Christie in the 76th minute and Wright made an immediate impact. Using his pace and skill he got the better of two County defenders, but was brought down by Keillor-Dunn.
Stevie May was then substituted for Maynard and the debutant's efforts were appreciated by the noisy support behind the goal. Maynard nearly killed the game off in the 86th minute. After good play from Shinnie, who was brought down, Christie picked up the loose ball and played in Nicky, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. From the corner Christie and Maynard combined, but the latter's header went agonizingly wide. With four minutes added on by referee Don Robertson County managed one last attack. After pressure in the Aberdeen box, the ball fell to Jim O'Brian and he fired a shot that looked destined to the burst the net. Joe Lewis was beaten, but was rescued by his crossbar and the Dons then held out to take all three points.

The last nine days has taken The Dons players to Cyprus, Hamilton and Dingwall so it's a well-deserved rest before Dundee visit Pittodrie next Saturday.