Aberdeen 3 - 1 Dunfermline Athletic

A tentative start by the home side saw Dunfermline take the early initiative. Fortunately the Dons defence were playing with more purpose and the closest the visitors came was a Mason shot from 18 yards which McGuire deflected wide. Aberdeen created their first half-chance in the 9th minute when D'Jaffo headed a Derek Young cross goalwards amid loud penalty claims from the Richard Donald Stand for a hand ball.

Neat play by Mackie in the 11th minute caused panic in the Pars defence, but his cross was too strong and the danger was averted. The youngster combined well with Derek Young three minutes later, but alert defending kept the Dons at bay. A minute later Bullen headed over for the visitors. The Dons had played themselves back into contention, but at this stage the final ball was lacking.

The Dons now had the upper hand and five minutes later Billio was crowded out in a busy Pars penalty area. Two minutes later Dunfermline took the lead when Bullen turned a Kilgannon free kick into the Dons net as the Dons failed to clear their lines. It was all level once more in the 44th minute when Billio scored his first goal for the club. He collected a Derek Young head flick, strode forward and hit a sweet left foot volley from 20 yards, which Ruitenbeek could only help, into the net.

There were loud appeals for a penalty from the visiting support in the 48th minute when a Crawford effort was blocked. Mr Somers was not impressed however and play continued. A minute later the official upset the home fans when he penalised Bisconti for a handball as he threatened the Dunfermline goal. The game then burst into life in the 57th minute when the Dons went ahead. D'Jaffo turned Bullen inside the box and fired a tremendous shot into the top corner of the net. Unfortunately the striker went down injured and was replaced by Mike a minute later.

The Dons had a valid penalty appeal turned down in the 69th minute when Mackie looked to have been tripped inside the box. To his credit Darren was back on his feet quickly and fed the ball to Deloumeaux. The Frenchman then whipped in a cross that Mike could only turn wide as the Dons continued to turn the screw. The pars then mounted a challenge forcing Kjaer into a double save in the 71st minute. This was to be the last real resistance from the visitors as the Dons took control. Derek Young should have added a fourth in the 82nd minute when he blazed over from ten yards out.

The game ended in dramatic fashion when Brewster was red-carded in the 90th minute following a second yellow card. Mr Somers had gone card happy in the second half with eight yellow's and one red shown in a game that was far from dirty. One yellow was dished out to Peter Kjaer for not taking a free-kick immediately. The final seconds had the Dons playing "shootie-in" in the Pars box, but they failed to produce another goal.