Kilmarnock 1 - 1 Aberdeen

RUGBY PARK must the worst ground in the country. The Dons drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock there in the first game in Section "C" of the Southern League Cup competition. It can be said without exaggeration that it was the state of the ground which was mainly responsible for Aberdeen not winning.

Aberdeen led by a Williams goal at the interval. Fifteen minutes after the resumption Kilmarnock were awarded a free-kick just over the half-way line. After awarding the kick, the referee walked towards the Aberdeen goal and blew his whistle.
Milloy, the home left back, apparently tired of trying to get the ball into the air, picked it up and kicked it.
The ball was cleared by an Aberdeen defender, but a linesman drew the referee's attention Milloy's infringement.

Break for Killie

The kick was ordered taken again. This time it brought the equalising goal. Milloy managed to volley the ball into the Aberdeen goal area. Dunlop headed it into the air, and as it dropped, and before an Aberdeen player could get near it, Turnbull nipped in and headed over Johnstone's hands into the net. It was a lucky break for Kilmarnock, and a bad one for Aberdeen.
The Dons, even taking the condition of the ground into consideration, had been the better team all through, but they had no luck.
Three times the woodwork came to Kilmarnock's reacue. Still, the Dons had chances to score and did not take them. Kiddie, Hamilton, McCall and Baird failed from close range. Had the ground been anything like Pittodrie, the Dons would have beaten Kilmarnock by a handful of goals.
Johnstone made a confident return to goal. Cowie was back at his best. Dunlop dominated the centre of th efield, and no wing half-back compared with Taylor. Williams was the best forward, and Kiddie struck his form periodically.
Downie saved the homesters from defeat, and only M. McDonald of the others impressed.

Source: Press & Journal, 25th Februalry 1946