The Dons carved out the first chance of the match when Craig headed a Chris Clark cross over the bar in the 7th minute. Five minutes later Scott Wilson almost turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear a dangerous cross from Muirhead. There were concerned faces in the Aberdeen dugout when Michael Hart picked up a knock in the sixteenth minute, but he was able to continue after some treatment.
The best chance came in the 44th minute when Craig headed over from close range after latching on to the end of a Chris Clark delivery. With McNaughton and Hart forming the central defensive partnership and Clark and Morrison playing at full back the back four had coped well and Ryan Esson dealt comfortably with anything the home side had offered.
The match moved up a gear in the second half with both sides showing increased effort. Brechin went close in the 47th minute with a Grant Johnstone header and five minutes later a nasty challenge on Scott Morrison was cause for concern, but the full back was able to continue after treatment. John Stewart replaced Muirhead in the 55th minute and almost scored with his first touch. He latched on to a long ball, but lost control as he steadied to shoot. Three minutes later Hinds replaced Craig in what looked like a precautionary move.
Four minutes later Hinds was brought down on the edge of the box and after remonstrating with the referee about the distance the wall had set up, Adams free kick was deflected past Hay to give the Dons the lead. Mr. Rowbotham then spoke to Adams for his celebration. A minute later Stewart and Hinds combined well as Hinds watched his effort crash off the post. In the 79th minute Chris Clark still had the energy to produce a 60-yard lung-busting run, but Stewart just failed to connect with his cross. Prunty replaced Mackie late in the game, but it was Hinds who almost grabbed a third in the 87th minute. The win will have pleased new boss Jimmy Calderwood who had been animated on the touchline throughout the match.