Dunfermline Athletic 1 - 0 Aberdeen

Aberdeen kicked off but it was a quiet opening to the match until the 4th minute when Mackie controlled the ball and laid it off to Macaulay. The youngster fired a snap shot goalward but it drifted wide of the target. Two minutes later a penetrating run from ex Don Scott Muirhead won the opening corner of the game. The set play was cleared to the edge of the box and Ross fired his effort well over the bar. Dunfermline went close again in the 9th minute but an interception from McNaughton denied the Pars.

Foster and Crawford combined to good effect in the 16th minute but were unable to carve out a finish then two minutes later McNaughton released Macaulay but lack of control denied the youngster a chance. A low drive from Foster then went wide before Crawford won a free kick on the 20th minute that produced a decent header from Russell Anderson but it drifted wide of the target. A minute later Diamond made a clumsy challenge on Burchill but the home side were unable to make anything of the set play.

Mason then went close for the Pars three minutes later when he tried to curl the ball into the top corner but fortunately lifted the ball too high. Burchill was almost released in the final minute but McNaughton did well to challenge. The home side were finishing the half on top and Aberdeen would need to up the tempo after the break if they were to take anything from this match.

Aberdeen failed to heed the warning signs lost a goal within two and a half minutes of the restart. Hunt drove the ball low across the face of the goal and as the Aberdeen defence looked at each other Burchill nipped in and drilled the ball past Langfield. It almost got worse a minute later when Burchill should have made it two but screwed the ball wide of the target. Aberdeen were given a lucky break in the 54th minute when Langfield came for a corner and completely missed it. Burchill didn't and headed the ball against the bar with Aberdeen in disarray.

Foster again showed his pace in the 70th minute but his control let him down and he ran the ball out before he could threaten. Two minutes later Snoyl had a speculative effort from 25 yards but the ball deflected wide off of John Stewart. There was good build up play in the 74th minute but the Dons looked to need too many touches in their approach and the home defence were able to clear easily. Scott Wilson then earned the first card of the game for a cynical challenge on Snoyl. The resulting free kick created a chance for Stewart but he scooped the ball over the bar from 12 yards.

Aberdeen finally won their first corner of the match in the 80th minute, which ended with Macaulay firing over the bar. Dempsey immediately replaced the youngster as Aberdeen looked to get back into the match. Substitute Tarachulski skinned Diamond in the 83rd minute and the striker should have done better. Aberdeen forced the issue in the closing minutes but couldn't find a way past the home defence. Crawford had the best chance in injury time but he failed to control the ball and it trundled off his shin and into the keeper's hands to sum up a dismal afternoon for the Dons.