Aberdeen moved four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 2-0 win at Motherwell.
Adam Rooney’s 18th goal of the season gave the Dons a half-time lead and the Irishman netted a late penalty to make sure of the victory after Stephen McManus was sent off for handling a Jonny Hayes shot on the line.
The Dons have now won seven on the bounce without conceding to open up a four point gap above Ronny Deila’s Celtic, who face Kilmarnock tomorrow evening.
Unsurprisingly, the Dons manager kept faith with the same starting XI that had delivered a 2-0 win against St Johnstone that took the side to the top of the Scottish Premiership.
There were three welcome inclusions on the Aberdeen bench with Willo Flood and Barry Robson returning from a hamstring injury and illness respectively, while Joe Shaughnessy was also present following his return from a loan spell at Falkirk.
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough was looking for a positive response from his players after a New Year’s Day disaster at Hamilton Accies when they suffered a 5-0 thumping at the home of their nearby rivals.
Seventeen-year-old Luke Watt was a surprise addition in the Motherwell team, making his first start for the Steelmen in place of the injured Steven Hammell, while Mark O’Brien stepped in for Simon Ramsden.
Aberdeen dominated the first half and broke the deadlock after 36 minutes with a well worked move.
David Goodwillie floated the ball over the top of a static Motherwell defence and Rooney showed terrific composure to slot the ball beyond Twardzik.
The Dons almost had a second before the half was up when Niall McGinn rattled the crossbar with a curling left-footed attempt from the edge of the area.
The second half took a while to get going, although Well defender Mark O’Brien was fortunate to only see yellow for a reckless challenge on McGinn around the hour mark.
The Dons went close to the second goal that would put the game beyond Motherwell when right back Logan crossed for left back Andrew Considine but his downward header struck the post.
Goodwillie should have netted after being sent through on goal by Ryan Jack as the hosts began to believe a point was there for the taking.
But a Rooney penalty a minute from time gave the Dons maximum points.