Kari Arnason marked his return to Aberdeen with a goal as the Dons ran out 4-1 winners against Championship side Brechin City at Glebe Park.
The Dons were 2-0 up by half-time in a one sided encounter as manager Derek McInnes used the game to give some of his squad match practice ahead of Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Apollon Limassol at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen started strongly and the visitors were unlucky not to take an early lead after Miles Storey crossed for Adam Rooney but the Dons forward saw his header come back off the crossbar.
Rooney then saw his shot saved by Patrick O’Neil in the Brechin goal but Aberdeen got the early goal they craved when defender Scott McKenna guided Greg Tansey’s corner into the net.
The interchanging Scott Wright and Storey, who were happy to switch flanks, caused City problems throughout and former Caley Thistle forward Storey doubled his side’s lead just after the half hour mark when he headed Rooney’s cross past O’Neil.
The visitors put the game beyond Brechin with two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half.
Arnason headed Tansey’s corner into the net to make it 3-0 before Rooney added a fourth from the penalty spot after Nicky Maynard had been tripped by Brechin defender Paul McLean.
City, to their credit, kept plugging away and their perseverance was rewards with 21 minutes remaining when substitute Ally Love beat Danny Rogers with a spectacular 25 yard shot.