Sam Cosgrove’s 19th goal of the season bailed out Aberdeen in a tepid 1-0 win over Hamilton Accies.
Cosgrove volleyed in a cross from Niall McGinn, making his 300th club appearance, early in the second half to settle an otherwise dreary game.
The Aberdeen frontman now has 15 more goals than any other player in his side, underlining his importance once again at Pittodrie.
The Dons made three changes from the 3-0 defeat to Hibernian, with Andrew Considine, Jon Gallagher and Zak Vyner all left out. Funso Ojo was handed his first start since September after a hamstring injury, while Ryan Hedges and Niall McGinn came in.
It took six minutes for the home side to fashion the first opportunity of the game, Shay Logan playing a one-two with Lewis Ferguson before crossing for James Wilson, who had his shot blocked by Luke Southwood.
Sam Stubbs came to his side’s aide with a block to deny Ojo on 17 minutes, with the Belgian teeing off from the edge of the box.
Hamilton were offering little in attack and the onus was on Aberdeen to prise them open. McGinn tried, meandering in off the right before having his attempt blocked, with Southwood clinging on to Hedges’ rebound.
Their next chance on 35 minutes was arguably the best of the first period. McGinn peeled off in space and forced a save from Southwood, with the rebound falling to Wilson. He steered it over the goalkeeper with a tame connection, which allowed Sam Stubbs to retreat and clear.
Another save from the feet of the Accies goalkeeper kept the game goalless at half-time, with Southwood this time keeping Logan at bay.
Aberdeen finally broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half. Wilson’s clever switch of play to McGinn gave the Northern Ireland international freedom to cross, as he was able to stand the ball up to the back post for Cosgrove to volley in.
The hosts did not kick on put Hamilton to bed though, with only a burst by Gallagher, halted by a well-timed challenge by Jamie Hamilton to speak of.
Accies delivered balls into the box late on and the Dons were under more pressure than they ought to have been against a team struggling near the foot of the table.
However, the three points were ground out, ahead of an ominous trip to Parkhead next weekend.