Aberdeen kicked off and carved out the first chance in the opening minute when Mackie latched on to a poor defensive header. However the game was halted for the challenge on Combe. The match then burst into life in the 7th minute when the visitors grabbed the lead. Johnston delivered a cross into the area and Invincible nipped in front of McGuire to steer the ball beyond Preece. Aberdeen hit back immediately when Pasquinelli levelled two minutes later. A long throw from Severin was half cleared and Tosh returned the ball into the danger area where he found Pasquinelli at the far post. Despite getting a hand to the ball Combe couldn?t prevent it from crossing the line.

Aberdeen almost grabbed the lead three minutes later after a great spell of football involving Tosh, Mackie and McGuire. The move ended with McGuire playing a one-two with Mackie and crashing a curling left foot shot off the bar with Combe well beaten. It was the visitors who regained the lead in the 18th minute when Anderson tripped Nish 20 yards out. Leven stepped up and hit an unstoppable free kick past Preece. The Dons tried to hit back again and Severin had a shot from distance in the 20th minute but it failed to test Combe before Kilmarnock threatened to extend their lead as the Dons struggled to clear their lines. Chris Clark was then felled on the edge of the box, but failed to be awarded the free kick allowing the visitors to break. This move was halted when a foul by Nish earned him the first yellow card of the match.

Aberdeen started the second half positively and a deep cross from McNaughton caused problems in the 47th minute. Mackie failed to make the most of the chance and the ball fell to Clark, but his cut back was scrambled clear. The game continued to rage from end to end and Aberdeen went close again in the 55th minute when a neat lay off by Pasquinelli eventually found Heikkinen and he drilled the ball wide. Two minutes later Preece had to claw a cross over the bar as the visitors threatened. Aberdeen threatened again in the 58th minute when Mackie set up Clark. The winger's shot was blocked and seconds later Diamond made a crucial interception to deny Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock were reduced to ten men in the 79th minute when Nish elbowed Zander Diamond and received his second yellow card. Diamond needed lengthy treatment before returning to the field. Mackie should have sewn up the match in the 84th minute when he was released by Severin. After doing the difficult bit he crashed his shot off the bar then turned the rebound round the post. A Severin header was then well saved by Combe in the 88th minute before a late flurry from the visitors was scrambled clear. Pasquinelli was given a huge cheer when Stewart replaced him in the 90th minute. Stewart almost made a name for himself in the closing seconds when he ran the length of the pitch only to fire his shot straight at Combe.