What a game, this was the match the term 'see saw battle' was designed for, every time the Dons looked down and out they fought back and eventually prevailed by 4-3. In an incredible match central midfielder Calum Stewart scored all 4 goals and with closest rivals Norwich and Rangers drawing Aberdeen go top on goal difference with a game in hand.

The Dons were all there on good time and went out to warm up early. The first shock was the state of the pitch, no, for once, not a mud-strewn shambles, this pitch was absolutely perfect, a joy to play on. The Dons made a few changes, Campbell and Rand starting, Pritchard in goal and Ritchie reverting to Centre back, apart from that they were along similar lines to last week. They had an amazing 5 subs on the bench too.

The game started with Aberdeen on top, a free kick was awarded for the Dons with the home side protesting and Aberdeen went close. At the other end Ireland got forward on 15 and a through ball looked offside, it was cleared but while the Dons players continued to protest they lost concentration allowing the Ireland forward in and he finished low at the near post. Aberdeen piled forward and Cairns took two attempts to deliver but finally found Stewart who totally mis-kicked in front of goal. As the Dons continued to try and level they got hit with the classic sucker punch. Rand slipped in midfield and possession was picked up by the hosts, a quick ball sent their forward clean through and he finished low past Pritchard.

Ireland had made the best possible start but Aberdeen fought straight back. From the kick off they won a throw on the left, Ritchie hurled it in to the box, Cairns flicked on, Arno turned it across the goal and Stewart came hurtling in to the box to crash it high home from 8 yards. 2-1 down but game on. Aberdeen went for it now and a free-kick was awarded. It looked set for the left footer Cairns and he ran up with purpose, instead of striking it he ran straight over the ball and towards the wall, with the home side distracted Stewart smacked a low shot in to the bottom corner, 2-2 and a great recovery. The home side were beginning to argue amongst themselves and Aberdeen looked like they were in a good position to go ahead.

Arno had to go off injured and was replaced by Aubrey. Aberdeen started the second half well. Aubrey and Stewart coming close but just failing to get their shots away in a crowded area. The ref waved away a penalty claim from Aubrey who went down easily in the box but it did look like they break through was coming. It did but at the other end, on a rare foray forward Ireland scored a scrambled goal from a corner. Disaster for the Dons!

Aberdeen threw on Robertson and Ho as they tried to get 'yet' another equaliser. It was a crazy game, every time the Dons got on top they conceded another goal. This was going to be a real test of character and they were up to it on the day. Ho brilliantly turned his man and sent Aubrey away, he twisted and turned the last defender and when everyone expected a shot played a neat reverse pass to Stewart who curled a beauty past the keeper from the penalty spot for 3-3 and his first Rob Roy hat-trick.

Aberdeen were desperate for the win, it had been so tough to come back three times but they had done it, could they find the winner? A couple of free kicks went close, Campbell curled in a beauty but it evaded everyone. With 10 mins remaining another free kick was given on the right. Campbell trotted over to take but he was waved away by Robertson. Nicky whipped in a beauty between the keeper and defence and with the home side static hero of the day Stewart appeared from nowhere to leather the ball home from 5 yards, 4-3 Aberdeen and the come back complete. The ref played 6 minutes injury time and gave about seven free kicks on the edge of the box. Pritchard was the hero with a couple of great saves and a wonderful punch to clear a cross. The final whistle went and very happy and relieved Dons side trouped off with three points in the bag.

MOM - Good battling display. Pritchard did well in goal replacing the holidaying Smollet. Davidson and Ritchie were solid at the back for the most part and Cairns put in a good shift up front. No doubt for the man of the match though, Stewart scored all four goals on an afternoon where it all went right for him. A superb match winning performance.

Team - Pritchard, Gunn, Ritchie, Davidson, Campbell, Urquhart, Rand, Jelinek, Stewart, S.Cairns, Arno

Subs - Robertson, Aubrey, Ho, R.Cairns, Rooney.