Aberdeen 0 - 1 Ross County

Despite Saturday's impressive showing at Kilmarnock, Craig Brown elected to make 3 changes to the side. Joe Shaughnessy's absence was enforced through injury while Rob Milsom and Gary Naysmith both dropped to the bench being replaced by Jonny Hayes, Josh Magennis and Clark Robertson.

Aberdeen had an early appeal for a foul turned down when Jonny Hayes' run towards the County box was abruptly stopped but referee Crawford Allan turned down the appeals. The game then turned into a scrappy affair with neither side creating much.

Niall McGinn, so often the hero this season, combined well with Ryan Jack who unleashed a shot across the face of goal. Unfortunately for the home side it was within reach for Mark Brown and he palmed it away but only as far as Hayes whose effort Brown also saved on the follow up.

On 29 minutes, the Dons created another half chance when Gavin Rae headed the ball down to Hayes on the edge of the box and he hit a snap shot that unfortunately fell into the arms of Brown again. McGinn was next to have a go for goal but his shot was straight at Mark Brown too- failing to trouble the former Hibernian goalkeeper.

While the Dons struggled to create anything meaningful in front of goal, the visitors began to apply some pressure. Ikonomu found Ian Vigurs on the by-line with a throw in and Vigurs cut the ball back to the ever-dangerous Ivan Sproule. The tricky winger unleashed a powerful shot that Jamie Langfield did well to save and avert the danger.

HT 0-0

The Dons made a change at the break with Peter Pawlett replacing Rory Fallon and they made a bright start to the game. Pawlett himself was looking dangerous and made some good runs into the box in the early stages of the second period. Gavin Rae shot well wide at one point but on the whole Aberdeen struggled to retain any momentum and created nothing clear cut.

On 63 minutes Rob Milsom replaced Stephen Hughes in midfield but it was County who went on to dominate the next few minutes. Ivan Sproule managed to turn and hit a weak shot that failed to cause any damage and seconds later Langfield had to make another save from the former Hibs man when he unleashed a shot from a narrow angle. The resultant stramash saw County players claim for a penalty when Pawlett moved awkwardly to clear a loose ball on the edge of the box.

Niall McGinn tried to inject some relief for the home fans on 74 minutes but he smashed his shot into the side netting. Pawlett was next to have an effort at goal after a good drive into the box but his effort was saved comfortably by Brown.

Another change followed on 79 minutes when Declan McManus replaced Jonny Hayes but the U20's star striker was unable to make much of an impact before Ross County took the lead.Rocco Quinn's cross from the right was played towards Gary Glen, who turned and fired the ball into the top corner of the - well out of the reach of the despairing Langfield.

The Dons tried to respond to the setback positively and Pawlett set Rae up to have a shot but Mark Brown was equal to it once again and the game fizzled out as another poor result at home for Aberdeen who have now one just 4 home games all season.