Aberdeen 1 - 1 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen had to settle for a draw at Pittodrie in front of a 13,004 crowd, despite having the lion's share of the chances Few breaks went the Dons' way against at times extremely physical opponents. The result kept the Dons four points clear of Kilmarnock with only 5 games to go until the SPL split, but did little to aid the pursuit of third placed Livingston and the coveted European place.

Aberdeen created the first opening in the 3rd minute when a passage of good passing play found Winters wide left. Dadi met his cross, but his effort went harmlessly over the top. Tiernan was harshly dealt with in the 5th minute when he was unbelievably yellow carded for his first offence. Winters then created another opening in the 9th minute when his angled ball just eluded Dadi then slipped inches wide of Marshall's far post.

There was danger for the Dons in the 11th minute when Kilmarnock were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Tommy Johnson curled the ball round the wall, but fortunately for the Dons he hit the side netting. Winters then decided to go for goal himself in the 17th minute when he hit a free kick straight at Marshall as Dadi was being held back inside the area. The Dons had the upper hand at this stage and once again fine passing play between Young, Winters and Dadi created havoc with the Killie back four before the linesman?s flag halted play.

Winters finally had the ball in the net in the 36th minute after a tremendous run by McNaughton. As the youngster was brought down on the edge of the box he delivered a pass to Winters and as the striker calmly slotted the ball beyond Marshall, the Main Stand linesman flagged for a tight offside decision, but chose to ignore the initial offence. The visitors almost stole the lead in the final minute when Boyd hit the post from close range. Seconds later Derek Young had a powerful header saved by Marshall.

Kilmarnock were sensationally awarded a penalty in the 50th minute courtesy of the Main Stand linesman who was doing little to endear himself to the home crowd. Dargo fell too easily as Kjaer went down to challenge. The referee then appeared to award a corner kick before consulting with his linesman, and then changing his decision. Johnson made no mistake with the kick and drilled the ball beyond Kjaer.

The Dons were quick to hit back and it was Phil McGuire, grabbing his second goal of the season, that provided the equaliser. A deep free kick in the 56th minute was delivered by Winters and McGuire came in at the back post to force the ball beyond Marshall. A minute later Zerouali replaced Tiernan and the Moroccan played a neat one-two with Dadi before drilling a shot inches wide of the post. The Dons should have taken the lead in the 67th minute when keeper Marshall spilled a Derek Young drive. Bisconti was quickest to react to the awkward bouncing ball, but he could only screw it wide of Marshall?s post with the goal gaping.

The visitors went close two minutes later when Dargo cashed in on a defensive mix up. Fortunately for the Dons his shot went wide of the target. Tempers were getting frayed and referee Toner finally produced a series of yellow cards. Tommy Johnson was lucky to stay on the park in the 72nd minute when 30 seconds after receiving a yellow card, he took a kick at McNaughton that was missed by Toner, and more surprisingly, the previously eagle-eyed assistant on the Main Stand side. Neither side had the guile to find that elusive winner and both had to settle for a share of the points.