Aberdeen 2 - 1 Rangers

During the first half there were few chances for either side as both teams struggled to cope with the difficult windy conditions. However the young Dons took a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time. Craig Higgins played a good ball to Stephen Tarditi who laid it into the path of Andy Bagshaw. The talented striker knocked the ball back to Tarditi who hit a shot with the outside of his left foot that gave the Rangers keeper no chance.

The second half was similar to the first with few chances being created although David Hutton was forced to make one fine save and at the other end Bagshaw went close.

On 68 minutes the Dons grabbed the crucial second goal. David Donald did really well down the right hand side, playing a great ball for Ashley McInnes who rose magnificently at the back post to power a header in. Rangers scored a consolation goal late on. It came from a set-piece when the Dons defence failed to pick up properly but Aberdeen held out for an excellent win.

"Rangers are a good team with good players so it is essential you do not give them too much respect and close them down quickly and that's something I thought we did really well today. We were very strong from the start today and carried that on throughout the 90 minutes. We have to judge ourselves against the likes of the Celtic and Rangers so it was very pleasing to beat one of the top teams."