Aberdeen 1 - 2 Livingston

There was one change to the Dons side that lost 1-0 to Ross County a fortnight ago in the final game before the split. Jack MacKenzie came back into the starting XI with Christian Ramirez starting from the bench.

Livingston made two changes after missing out on the top six at the death in their previous game against Motherwell. Andrew Shinnie and Adam Lewis replaced Alan Forrest and James Penrice.

Pittodrie had a start rather than end of season feel to it, bright sunshine and an immaculate looking playing surface greeting the players. Aberdeen made a bright start too, Jonny Hayes' fourth minute corner nodded back across goal by Lewis Ferguson, Ross McCrorie stretching to get on the end of it only for Livi to clear their lines. Hayes was impressive again moments later, twisting into space just inside the box and drifting a shot wide of the target.

In the seventh minute, from a Connor Barron free-kick, Funso Ojo was in a similar position to Hayes, just a handful of yards further out, but his curled shot didn't quite bend enough to hit the target.

On 13 minutes, Marley Watkins and Ferguson exchanged passes around the edge of the area, the Welshman looping his effort over the bar from there. Ten minutes later, a dangerous looking cross from the left from Vicente Besuijen was just a shade too strong for Watkins to reach at the back post.

Aberdeen had dominated the opening spell but were unable to find a goal despite the number of corners and crosses going into the visitors box.

Hayes was in the book for brushing Lews with his arm as he turned past him on halfway on 28 minutes, a very harsh looking yellow card for the Irishman. Yes he caught the player, but it was completely accidental.

Livi would have been in front on 31 minutes but for sharp reactions from Joe Lewis at his near post. Nouble fired in a cross, David Bates stretching to intercept but only diverting it at goal at some pace, Lewis taking the ball full in the face to save. Ojo followed Hayes into the book on 35 minutes for hauling back Nouble as he tried to accelerate away from him on halfway.

A Dons corner on 38 minutes caused chaos. Stryjek claimed a McCrorie header at the back post. The Livi goalkeeper charged through his area to try and make an early throw out. Besuijen was in his way and as they collided, the goalkeeper appeared to flick his right glove into Besuijen's face. He fell to the floor but when he finally got back to his feet, it was the Aberdeen man who was booked and a free-kick awarded against him, Stryjek also cautioned.

From there, Livi were on the break and in the lead on 41 minutes. Shinnie cut inside and crossed for Bailey. His header was brilliantly saved by Lewis but it was Devlin who reacted quickest, following to stab the ball home.

On 44 minutes, Lewis hurled himself into a tackle on Barron, off the floor and seemingly with studs up, but all he conceded was a throw in.

HALF-TIME: ABERDEEN 0 LIVINGSTON 1

Longridge replaced Lewis for the away side at the break. Aberdeen threatened early on, McCrorie finding Besuijen in the inside-right role, the Dutchman's low shot across goal fielded by Stryjek. McCrorie was in the book on 52 minutes for a late tackle on Bailey.

Neat football almost had Aberdeen level on 54, Besuijen's clever back heel putting the ball in the path of Watkins. He released MacKenzie down the left and his ferocious drive was batted away by Stryjek at the near post.

Declan Gallagher was next to come close on 62 minutes. An Aberdeen corner was half cleared back to Hayes on the right and he fired in a cross to the back post, Gallagher acrobatically volleying over. A minute later, Hayes tried his own luck, cutting in from the right before firing over at the near post.

Livi made their second change on 65 minutes, Kelly making way for McMillan. Three minutes later, after a clever through ball, Shinnie got inside Ojo and the referee awarded a penalty when the opposition player went to ground in the area. It looked a soft penalty as there was very little contact. Holt was the man to take the kick, and, after hesitating in his run up, he clipped his shot against the underside of the bar and in for 2-0. Christian Ramirez immediately replaced Gallagher.

A speculative lob from Pittman on 73 minutes might have made things worse as he chased down a long ball but fortunately, his effort from 30 yards was well over. Shinnie was then substituted, Montano coming on after 74 minutes.

Things went from bad to worse on 78 minutes, McCrorie clipping Holt in midfield and a second yellow for McCrorie followed ? the Dons were down to ten men. While that was going on, MacKenzie needed treatment and eventually had to come off too, Teddy Jenks replacing him.

Good feet from Besuijen saw him move away from three defenders. He found Watkins and on to Ramirez. He got plenty of power on his shot from 18 yards - and a deflection, Stryjek somehow shovelling the ball over his shoulder and over the ball with eight minutes left.

Lewis was to smart action at the other end a couple of minutes later, plucking a swerving Longridge shot out of the air as Livi were on the break. Calvin Ramsay replaced Watkins on 86. The visitors replaced Bailey with Soto at the same time.

A penalty for the Dons in the 89th minute, Obileye hauling Ferguson to the deck as he was about to fire at goals from ten yards. From two yards further out, Ferguson buried it in the corner. Suddenly, with five added minutes to play, there was a faint sense of panic in the Livi ranks but Aberdeen couldn't find the one clear opportunity to try and force the draw.