Ross County 0 - 1 Aberdeen

Not surprisingly Derek McInnes named the same line up that put in such a solid performance to beat Hamilton last time out. Heavy rain all afternoon in the Highlands left the pitch very wet but it was still in excellent condition.

In the first minute the home side won a corner. Carey's first ball was blocked at the near post, his second attempt from a good angle was much better and as the ball came over Reynolds slipped. In the end the defender did very well to re-adjust and stick out a leg to clear the ball to safety. A warning to all the players about the underfoot conditions.

On 8 minutes Rooney forced Mark Brown into a good stop at his near post after the ball came in from the right. Aberdeen won their first corner but the delivery was poor. Then a few minutes later Pawlett sped down the left and put over a dangerous cross right across the six yard line but there were no takers.

The slick surface seemed to being suiting the Dons and they knocked the ball about well in the early stages.

On 16 minutes the ball fell kindly for Michael Gardyne but his shot from the edge of the area was always on the rise.

On 20 minutes Aberdeen won a free kick in a good area. The ball was played in by McGinn and Taylor made good contact with a header and directed the ball goal-ward. Brown though did well to save and although he could not hold onto the ball he controlled it well enough for a nearby defender to come along and thump it clear. On 24 minutes, Flood- who was running the game- won the ball back and played Hayes down the line. Jonny put over a good ball but Rooney could not connect properly and then McGinn coming in behind him could not control. A minute later Hayes again was able to put over a cross from the left, the ball eventually dropped to Logan at the edge of the area, he checked back onto his left foot and put a shot just over the bar. On 27 minutes the ball was worked to Hayes again and his low cross was not far away Rooney who at full strength just could not get a touch. On the half hour mark Hayes once again put over a dangerous ball after beating full back Lewis Toshley about three times. Actually Jonny was in such a good position and had so much time he probably should have picked out a red jersey.

On 33 minutes a Logan cross went all the way through to Hayes. He put over a much better ball this time and as Ryan Jack went to win the ball in the air he was clearly impeded, Willie Collum - after a glance to the near side linesman - blew his whistle but to the frustrations of the Dons awarded the home side a free kick, for what looked like offside.

Aberdeen probably should have been leading at this point and when Paul Quinn flashed a header just past it was a warning to the Dons that despite their domination a goal could very quickly change the look of this game. On 43 minutes a well worked move saw McGinn float a ball over for Rooney and his glancing header had Brown rooted to the spot but the ball went agonisingly past the far post.

The rain was coming down heavier than ever and as the teams went in at the interval. The Dons will have felt that they should maybe have tested Brown more, especially in these conditions.

HT 0-0

Aberdeen started the second half on the front foot and were still in control of this game. You have to give the Ross County defence credit, they were looking a lot more solid than earlier in the season when the teams met. On 52 minutes Hayes burst forward again. His measured cross to the back post looked for all the world that it would lead to the opening goal but Darren Barr did really well to head clear despite pressure from the onrushing Rooney and McGinn.

Finally on 56 minutes Aberdeen scored. Ross County gave away possession to McGinn and with Barr out of position he had space and time and was able to put over a superb cross which Rooney missed but the unfortunate Paul Quinn could not get out of the way of it as he tracked Rooney's run and the ball hit off him and went into the net. Minutes later Considine could have made it two but he could not keep his shot down.

The goal seemed to flick a switch and the Dons were now back to their fluent and confident best. Going forward they put together some great moves and always looked a threat.

On the hour mark Ross County replaced Martin Woods with Joe Cardle and then a minute later Yoann Arquin was replaced by Jake Jervis. Jim McIntyre had to do something to try and change the flow of the game. On 62 minutes Hayes low free kick picked out Pawlett but he slipped in the act of shooting. Another chance gone. On 65 minutes Gardyne was booked for a foul on Hayes, who really was at his best this evening and the home side could not cope with him.

On 65 minutes Logan cut the ball back to Pawlett. Peter took a good first touch which took him away from his marker and put him in the clear, he hammered in a shot which clipped the top of the bar and went over. On 66 minutes Ross County made their final change with Liam Boyce coming on for Gardyne. Within seconds of coming on he could have equalised. A long shout was palmed back into the danger zone by Scott Brown and Boyce was following up but the ball came to him maybe quicker than he expected and in the end he could only bundle the ball over the bar. A let off for the Dons. On 71 minutes Logan again cut the ball back for Pawlett. This time Peter tried to place his shot but again it just went over the bar.

Ross County had to play for about three or four minutes with ten men when Darren Barr went down but he was able to play on after recovering. It was still all Aberdeen with shots raining in but again credit to the County defence who kept a good shape and made some very good blocks.

With seven minute to go Goodwillie replaced Rooney. Then with five minutes to go Pawlett was replaced by Robson. In injury time Jeffrey Monakana replaced the man of match Jonny Hayes. Aberdeen continued to create chances but with five minutes of injury the home side suddenly got a big lift and they did mount some pressure but the Dons held out, with Flood clipping the top of the bar in the dying seconds.

A thoroughly deserved win.