Aberdeen 1 - 0 Heart of Midlothian

Hearts first real chance came after 11 minutes, when ex-Rangers striker Gordon Durie expertly tried to chip Dons keeper Ryan Esson, who had strayed slightly off his line, but the ball went just over. The Dons remained in control in the first half, and Alex Di Rocco came close with a 20th minute shot, but he hit it straight at Hearts Finnish international goalkeeper Antti Niemi. Thomas Solberg came close in the 31st minute with a decent effort from a free kick 25 yards out, and Aberdeen were looking increasingly likely to score again.

In a rare foray up the park Hearts nearly equalised in the 36th minute when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Aberdeen area. Juanjo beat Esson with a terrific shot, but the post saved the Dons. Arild Stavrum was denied a chance on goal when Steven Pressley made a great saving tackle as the Norwegian shaped to shoot.

The Dons should have been 2-0 up in the 56th minute, when great work Stavrum down the wing led to Winters having an opportunity from just a couple of yards, but he somehow managed to put the ball wide. Further chances from Stavrum and Darren Young failed to find the target, and on 72 minutes a brilliant shot from Di Rocco was equally well saved by ex-Rangers keeper Niemi. Darren Young had one last chance but couldn't put the game beyond doubt. However the Dons defence held out, giving Hearts very little in the way of chances, to give the team their first win in eight matches.