As expected, Rangers were first to show and Amoruso fired a free kick over the bar after with only five minutes on the clock. Six minutes later Rangers new boy de Boer fed in McCann who could only shoot weakly at Esson. The Dons created their first chance in the 15th minute but Darren Mackie couldn't get a clean shot at the target. Aberdeen were in defensive mode, trying to keep Rangers from playing open football but the home side were starting to dominate and they nearly went ahead in 19 minutes following a goalmouth scramble.
Norwegian Cato Guntveit has a chance in the 24th minute but could only shoot over the bar. The opening goal was only delayed for a minute though. A free kick was tapped to Van Bronckhorst who shot past Esson to put Rangers ahead. Esson may consider that he should have done better. Aberdeen weren't really in the match at this stage and Rangers kept pushing forward and had a penalty claim turned down. Aberdeen managed to hold firm and the first 45 minutes finished with Rangers holding a narrow one-goal advantage.
Aberdeen's dream of a shock result was shattered though as tiredness began to set in. Wallace nodded a cross from Ricksen in to the net in the 74th minute. Question marks will be asked no doubt as to how the smallest player on the field was allowed to head home then Aberdeen suffered a further setback just moments later. Ex-Don Billy Dodds struck the ball past Ryan Esson to put Rangers back into the lead on 81 minutes and all hope was finally extinguished with five minutes remaining when Amoruso slammed home a free kick from 20 yards out.