Aberdeen 0 - 3 Motherwell

Motherwell were being hemmed into their own half in this opening period but were looking lively when they had opportunities to break. It was one of these opportunities that saw the visitors open the scoring after nine minutes. A great crossfield ball caught the Dons' defence flatfooted and Steven Craig cleverly steered the ball over the helpless David Preece and into the net.

The Dons carried on where they had left off and did not appear to be at all fazed by going behind. Scott Booth turned Craigan in the 20th minute but failed to get enough power in his shot which screwed just wide. Booth again had an opportunity five minutes later but his header from a McNaughton cross landed on the roof of the net.

In the 41st minute a great 60 yard run from Muirhead roused the home support as the Dons pressed for the equaliser before halftime. A head flick from Booth following a Tosh corner sailed just over the top as Aberdeen failed to draw level at the interval.

The Dons were looking more and more dangerous now and a clever Tosh/Booth one-two ended with Tosh's effort being saved once again by the alert Marshall in the Motherwell goal. Not to be outdone, the visitors promptly tested the Dons keeper at the other end with goalscorer Craig being denied his second by good work from Preece.

Preece again came to the Dons' rescue when he pulled off a great save from Pearson as Motherwell came roaring back into the game. The Dons brought on Mackie for Zdrilic in the 76th minute but within a minute of the change Motherwell caught the Dons out on the breakaway again as Stephen Pearson landed the sucker punch counter attack, firing home from inside the penalty area to send the small band of visiting fans into raptures.

The Dons continued to press (as they had done all throughout the game) but to little or no effect as several chances went a-begging. As the final whistle beckoned, Motherwell were content to keep things tight and preserve their lead, but one more breakaway opportunity was gratefully accepted by Lasley as he claimed the visitors' third goal.