Kilmarnock 2 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen's Scotland keeper Jim Leighton kept Kilmarnock at bay in the early stages of this afternoon's Premier Division clash at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock striker Paul Wright, injured while playing for Scotland B in midweek, failed to make the starting line-up.

An early Pat Nevin corner found Ray Montgomerie's head but his effort was just wide. Leighton had to look active in the sixth minute to stop a powerful 25 yard shot from Jerome Vareille. As Kilmarnock kept up the pressure Mark Reilly had a half chance from the edge of the box but his volley was well off target. Leighton was again in action as he stopped a long range effort from Montgomerie. Then came a bizarre incident in the 18th minute when referee Stuart Dougal banished both managers to the stand. Aberdeen striker Mike Newell was booked for kicking the ball at Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson after Williamon had returned it to play. The manager was despatched to the stand to be followed seconds later by Dons' boss Alex Miller who passed comment on the incident.

When the match resumed, Jamie Buchan's shot at the Killie goal sailed over the bar and Vareille came close again for the home side after 28 minutes when his powerful long range shot rose a foot over Leighton's goal.

A run into the box early in the second half by Stephen Glass had the Killie defence in a panic and it took the combined efforts of Gus Macpherson and Pat Nevin to stop him. Dylan Kerr had an opportunity to put the defence under pressure with a cross into the box from the left, but he hit it too close to Leighton to cause any problems. Kerr showed greater accuracy with a 35-yard free kick that was bang on target but Scotland international Leighton was again on the spot to clear up the danger. Jerome Vereille made it 2-1 to Killie later in the game.