Aberdeen 5 - 1 Kilmarnock

Rowson replaced Bernard who required 14 stitches in the head wound and as Aberdeen looked to reorganise Kilmarnock equalised after a short corner was finally delivered into the box. Esson was left in no mans land as Lauchlin out jumped Dow to head home. The Dons were back in the driving seat five minutes later when a speculative shot by Rowson slithered through the legs of Marshall and into the net. The keeper will not want to watch that one again. In the 40th minute Hessey took the legs from Belabed and this time Rowbotham spoke to the player but again no card was forthcoming, yet four minutes later Andy Smith was booked for dissent. The Dons punished Kilmarnock further in the 44th minute when Zerouali beat Marshall to the ball just outside the box. His shot was blocked but Jess followed up to tap home. Had he missed a penalty would have surely been awarded as he was brought down in the act of scoring.

The second half started with Kilmarnock enjoying a lot of possession and Aberdeen causing problems on the break as chances were created at both ends, but neither team could find the net. Winters replaced Dow in the 66th minute and the game boiled over in the 74th minute. Winters used his pace on the right wing and swung in a good cross. Belabed failed to get on the end of the cross and him and Hessey ended tangled on the ground. This was all in full view of referee and nobody seemed too bothered and the game appeared to continue. The stand side linesman had spotted something that no one else appears to have seen and flagged the official. After a lengthy discussion Rowbotham red carded Hessey and awarded a penalty to Aberdeen. T.V. evidence was of little help in determining the reason for the penalty award but Solberg was unconcerned as he beat Marshall from the spot. The icing on the cake came in the 89th minute when a brilliant bit of skill by Zerouali took him past the last defender. He then delivered an inch perfect cross for an easy tap in for Winters.

Aberdeen certainly got the rub of the green at certain stages, but there were some fine performances. They must keep this going next week in the final league match against Dundee and then focus on the season?s finale.