Aberdeen 2 - 0 Dunfermline Athletic

Aberdeen ran out 2-0 winners at Pittodrie today in what proved to be a comfortable afternoon. The visitors never looked like getting back into the match after Scot Booth added to Phil McGuire's first half goal. The team looked solid if not spectacular as they defended well and took their chances to earn a deserved three points. The Dons are now within a point of Kilmarnock and have the chance to move up the league when they face Motherwell on Tuesday evening.

Aberdeen started in a similar manner to last week winning a corner in the opening minute. Clark's delivery was scrambled clear after Stillie fumbled the ball. In the 6th minute McGuire played a dangerous ball into the box, but Hinds was unable to capitalise on the chance. The visitors finally threatened in the 9th minute when Diamond was forced to concede a corner. From a second corner Dunfermline were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box forcing Preece to make a fine block on his six-yard line.

In the 12th minute a mistake between Diamond and Preece almost allowed Mehmet to score. Fortunately his effort was steered inches wide. A Dons corner in the 14th minute was easily collected by Stillie as the game settled. Aberdeen had regained the upper hand and the Dons went close again in the 16th minute when Morrison rolled a free kick into the path of Zdrilic and Stillie was at full stretch to deny the Aussie the opener.

Unlike last week's flowing attacks the Dons looked slower and more deliberate this week allowing the visitors time to organise themselves. Dunfermline threatened again in the 28th minute when Crawford nipped in and tried to lob Preece. Fortunately for Aberdeen he also lobbed the crossbar. Another corner in the 34th minute failed to produce the breakthrough, but two minutes later the Dons did grab the lead with a scrappy goal. Sheerin delivered the cross and McGuire turned a defender and scrambled the ball over the line despite Stillie getting a hand to it.

Preece had to look sharp in the 38th minute when he stopped a Dempsey effort that had taken a wicked deflection on the way to goal. A minute later McGuire took a quick free kick and released Zdrilic through the middle. Unfortunately the Aussie failed to control the ball and the chance was gone.

Aberdeen started the second half on the attack and in the 51st minute Stillie saved a fierce shot from Sheerin. A minute later Aberdeen extended their lead when Diamond nodded down a Clark corner and Booth was first to react and poked the ball past Stillie. in the 53rd minute Morrison hit a low short inches wide of Stillie's far post as the Dons attempted to finish the game off. In the 57th minute Booth had a chance to add a third but off balance he scooped the ball high over the bar. The same player should have done better five minutes later when he worked his way into the six yard box then instead of shooting he cut it back and the chance was cleared.

Aberdeen introduced Prunty in place of Booth in the 71st minute. The Dons still held the upper hand with Clark in particular causing problems. Dunfermline were still dangerous on the break and they went close in the 75th minute when Wilson headed a Grondin free kick over the bar. Aberdeen should have added a third in the 81st minute when Clark was released by Hinds and despite being tripped Clark continued and had his effort blocked by Stillie. Prunty had another chance two minutes later but screwed his effort wide of goal.