Aberdeen made a positive start and in the opening minute Prunty got the better of Andrews on the right and fired in a low cross. McKenzie fumbled the greasy ball but was able to gather at the second attempt. Two minutes later the Dons won the first corner of the match, which the Livi defence handled easily. The second corner two minutes later ended with a rather wild shot by Prunty as Aberdeen set up camp in the Livi half. Livingston's first chance came in the 8th minute when a speculative McGovern effort sailed wide.

Heikkinen should have done better in the 10th minute when neat passing play allowed Hinds to set the midfielder up with a scoring chance. Unfortunately the Fin screwed his shot well wide of the target. Aberdeen's bad luck continued when Livingston grabbed an undeserved lead in the 14th minute with a little help from referee Mike McCurry. With little danger the ball struck McCurry and fell to a Livingston forward who quickly fed the ball to McMenamin who in turn beat Preece from 10 yards.

On the half hour mark Richard Foster limped off and was replaced by David Zdrilic. Within seconds Hinds and Zdrilic combined well and Sheerin was inches from turning the ex-Clyde man's cross into the net. In the 33rd minute Morrison once again delivered a dangerous free kick that had McKenzie scurrying to clear. As the ball broke Hinds had half a chance, but the Livi defenders got back in numbers to block his way. Hinds went close again in the 37th minute when he created space on the left and curled in a shot that McKenzie flapped at. Fortunately for him the ball fell to one of his defenders and the danger was cleared.

Although the Dons were enjoying most of the play Livingston were quick to break when the opportunity arose. With five minutes remaining of the first period Prunty went close when he met a Morrison cross and sent a looping header over the bar from 12 yards. Two minutes later McGuire joined the attack and hit a fierce shot well over the top from 25 yards out.

Three minutes later Diamond was woefully short with a pass and Hart was forced to retrieve the situation. The Dons then moved up a gear and in the 58th minute Sheerin took advantage of a mix up in the Livi defence and forced McKenzie into a fine save from only six yards. Six minutes later the Dons had a strong penalty claim turned aside when Hinds beat a couple of defenders and appeared to be taken late from behind by Andrews as he hit his shot. Mr. McCurry was not interested and Prunty hit the loose ball wide of the target.

Sheerin and McGuire then both had efforts fly inches wide before Muirhead replaced an injured Marcus Heikkinen in the 67th minute. The Dons were not enjoying any luck and this was emphasised in the 70th minute when Morrison delivered another great free kick which Hinds pounced on at the near post only to watch in agony as McKenzie somehow stretched and turned the bullet header over the bar. Six minutes later another challenge in the box with Andrews left Prunty grounded and clutching his face as the Dons bombarded the Livi goal. The young striker never recovered and was replaced by Souter in the 78th minute.

Another penalty claim was rejected in the 81st minute when Hinds went down in a challenge with Rubio. The Dons finally drew level in the 84th minute when Hinds, at the second attempt, managed to turn a Morrison corner into the net. Three minutes later the Dons won a free kick 25yards out but the wall blocked Zdrilic's effort. The visitors then broke upfield and grabbed an unlikely winner. A short pass from Hart was intercepted and Fernandez broke and found O'Brien in the middle and he beat Preece from close range.