The gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership is down to one point after Shay Logan scored the winner in Aberdeen’s 2-1 win against Kilmarnock in a thrilling encounter at Pittodrie.
Killie threatened to grab a share of the spoils in a dramatic afternoon in the Granite City when Josh Magennis headed home an equaliser to cancel out Ashton Taylor’s first half opener for Aberdeen before the Dons dug deep to grind out the win.
Niall McGinn returned to the starting line-up after missing the midweek win at Partick Thistle while Barry Robson, who came off the bench to play a key role in the come from behind win at Firhill, also started the game.
With Celtic beating Partick in the lunchtime kick-off the pressure was on Aberdeen to respond against struggling Killie, who had the chance to extend their lead on bottom club Dundee United to 11 points after United lost at Motherwell on Friday.
Aberdeen showed their need was greater, however, and they almost opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Kenny McLean but his low curling effort from the edge of the box came back off the post.
Niall McGinn then saw his low drive tipped away by Jamie MacDonald as the Dons pushed for an opener and their perseverance eventually paid off in the 37th minute when Ashton Taylor headed Robson’s outswinging corner past MacDonald.
Aberdeen supporters expecting a deluge, however, were left disappointed as the visitors grabbed an equaliser at the start of the second half with their first effort at goal.
Greg Kiltie was the creator, crossing from the byeline for Rory McKenzie to head the ball back across goal for former Don josh Magennis who had the simple task of heading the ball into the empty net.
Magennis went close again when he beat Andy Considine in a race for the ball only to drag his shot wide but the Dons regained their composure, and the lead, with 19 minutes remaining.
The pressure had been building towards the Killie goal before the goal but it took a low cross from hayes, and a fine diving header from Shay Logan to produce the winner.