Kenny McLean’s 10th goal of the season and a Shay Logan effort gave Aberdeen all three points as they moved up to second place in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-0 win at Kilmarnock.
The win ensures Celtic will not be crowned Premiership champions this weekend and takes the Dons up to second place in the division.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes made four changes to the side which lost 3-0 to Motherwell in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden last weekend.
Chidi Nwakali missed out due to injury while Andy Considine was suspended. Kari Arnason and Adam Rooney dropped to the bench.
Shay Logan, Graeme Shinnie and Kenny McLean, who all missed the Hampden defeat due to suspension, returned with Mark Reynolds making a rare start in Considine’s absence.
The Dons were denied an early goal by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Leo Fasan, the keeper getting a hand to Scott McKenna’s header from Stevie May’s free kick.
The home side responded with a chance of their own through Alan Power, the midfielder cutting inside McKenna on the edge of the box before firing in a low drive which Joe Lewis did well to keep out.
The deadlock in a first half of few clear chances for either side was broken eight minutes before half-time by McLean with the midfielder beating Fasan with a superb 35 yard low curling effort at his near post.
Aberdeen doubled their lead just before the hour mark when May’s free kick was met by Anthony O’Connor’s powerful header. Fasan did well to keep the effort out but Logan was on hand to convert the rebound to seal victory for his side.