Dunfermline had the better of the play in the opening five minutes, but it was the Dons who carved out the first chance in the 5th minute. A neat turn and cross by D?Jaffo sent the ball into the danger area and Skerla had to look lively to head the ball over the bar as Mackie waited to pounce. Aberdeen then put the home side under pressure with a series of corner kicks. Dunfermline were still looking dangerous however and both Anderson and McGuire were forced to make telling interceptions to deny the home side.

Brewster had a half chance in the 9th minute, but he was well marshalled by Anderson and could only produce a weak shot, which didn?t threaten Preece. A minute later Darren Young hit a long-range effort that was easily held by ex Don Derek Stillie. Brewster was causing problems again in the 15th minute when he fired a dangerous header across the face of the goal, but Preece was quick to react and cut out the danger.

D?Jaffo had another chance in the 28th minute when a McAllister cross was half cleared and fell into his path. Unfortunately he was unable to get any power in his shot and Stillie collected easily. Dunfermline then carved out several chances with McNaughton having to clear a dangerous cross for a corner in the 32nd minute. The home side deservedly took the lead in the 40th minute with the help of some poor defending. Tiernan put Anderson under pressure with a poor pass and Brewster dispossessed the centre back before finding Crawford on the right. Despite looking offside, the Scotland striker strode through and fired a powerful shot past Preece for a half time lead.

The Dons made the worst possible start to the second period as they conceded a second goal in the 48th minute. Dunfermline were awarded a corner despite protests that Preece had kept a deflected shot in play. As the corner was swung in Dair headed the ball goalwards and the unfortunate Jamie McAllister turned the ball into his own net.

There was almost disaster for the Dons on the hour mark as McNaughton attempted to usher the ball out of play, but lost out. The cross was almost turned in by McGuire, but he managed to clear. The third was only delayed a few minutes however as Derek Young made an unnecessary challenge on Thomson to concede a penalty kick. Brewster made no mistake from the spot and the game was effectively over.

The best chance of a consolation fell to D?Jaffo in the 65th minute when his shot came back off the post when it looked like a certain goal. This summed up the Dons' afternoon and the game petered out after this leaving Paterson and Shearer with a lot to think about over the next few weeks.