Rangers 2 - 1 Aberdeen

The Dons included Dean Campbell, who had played as a sub on Saturday at Pittodrie against Hamilton, in their starting eleven.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, both sides took time to settle into the game, with neither keeper called into action in the early exchanges. Rangers appealed for a penalty when Mebude was bundled over in the box, but the ref waved play on perhaps feeling the striker went to ground too easily.

The Dons won their first corner in the eighth minute and really should have taken the lead, Michael Ruth flashing a free header wide after Campbell's excellent delivery.
Goalmouth action was at a premium in the opening quarter of an hour as neither side was able to break the lines of well organised defences. Mebude tried to burst clear but Luke Tuner made a timely challenge to halt the Rangers forward.

On 22 minutes a dangerous break from McPake saw him find Butterworth whose effort was blocked by Turner, but Rangers couldn't make anything of the resulting corner.

Both sides were putting plenty of effort into the game, but it was becoming a midfield stalemate which would require a flash of inspiration to raise the excitement levels.

And that flash came on 37 minutes when a twisting run from McLennan saw him find Campbell o the edge of the box. Dean stepped inside a defender before laying a lovely pass into the path of Lloyd Robertson who expertly placed the ball past Kinnear into the bottom corner. A fine goal.

Three minutes from the break fine work from Mebude saw him wriggle clear to fire in a powerful shot from ten yards, Sam Jackson saving well with his legs to preserve the Dons lead.

Half time - Rangers Reserves 0 Aberdeen Reserves 1

The Dons were quickly into their stride in the second half and Seb Ross was inches away from doubling the lead as he knocked McLennan's cross just wide of the post.
McPake created an opening for Miller on 50 minutes but his shot lacked the power to trouble Jackson. The winger took a knock creating the chance and had to go off to be replaced by McCausland.

A mistake in midfield gave possession to Ritchie-Hosler who made a beeline for the Dons goal, but Luc Bollan was well positioned to block. Rangers however drew level on 58 minutes when McCausland fired the ball high past Jackson.

The goal re-energised Rangers and for the first time the Aberdeen defence was under pressure but Turner and Bollan were well organised at the back and prevented Jackson's goal being threatened.

Powerful running from Ruth created an opening for Ross, the skipper's powerful shot was blocked by the retreating Rangers defence. At the other end, Jackson save brilliantly from the dangerous McCausland who had certainly made an impact since coming on.

Campbell and Ross were replaced by Dangana and Barron as the game went into its final quarter, its outcome still very much in the balance. Anderson had a shot blocked after being set free by Dangana then Jack Mackenzie's long ball just evaded Ruth as the Dons piled forward.

Rangers responded with a Butterworth shot which flew over the top and a curling effort from McCausland which was just a few inches too high.
Calvin Ramsay came on for Ruth on 83 minutes, while Hanratty replaced our Trialist.

Aberdeen were hit with a late body-blow when Dickson drilled a low shot past Jackson to give the home side the lead in the 91st minute. The Dons launched an onslaught on the home goal, but Kinnear made a couple of solid saves then, right at the death, Connor Barron curled a shot agonisingly just wide.

So, Rangers win the day, but a draw would probably have been a fair result on the balance of play.