Dunfermline 1 - 3 Aberdeen

Again the game was played on a poor pitch which was dry and extremely tight. This made it difficult for the young Dons to play their usual passing game.

Dunfermline took the lead on 12 minutes when the Dons failed to clear their lines from a corner. The ball fell to Henderson who lobbed Rogers. Aberdeen had most of the play but apart from a few half chances from set pieces, they did not look threatening and failed to create anything in open play.

Just before the hour mark Dean Carse came on for Craig Storie and Dean was to play a major part in the Dons winning the game. The Dons finally got on equaliser on 70 minutes. Carse played a fantastic pass through to Ryan Fraser. From a wide position the winger played in a fine cross and Declan McManus scored.

The Dons then took the lead 9 minutes later. Dean Carse took a long throw which was touched on and McManus was on hand to grab his second.

The drama was not over though. With five minutes to go Jamie Masson got sent off. The Dunfermline player kicked him and Jamie reacted. Although he was foolish to react Jamie was still unfortunate to be red carded.

With the Dons down to ten men this lifted the home side but Aberdeen scored a great third goal to make the game safe. Neil Cooper's side had been trying to keep the ball in the corner but then Stephen O'Neill and Dean Carse combined to play the ball to McManus who had found some space in the box. Declan then completed his hat-trick with a superb curling finish.

Neil Cooper told RedWeb after the game "I felt in the first half we were trying to play too much football across the back. It was never a surface which we could do that on. In the second half we got the ball forward a bit earlier and that made the difference. Despite the pitch we played some good football and the boys attitude was tremendous again. Declan took all his goals really well."