Aberdeen kicked off at a windy Pittodrie looking to attack from the start. In the 2nd minute a Kerr crossfield pass found new boy Sone Aluko who flew past Mensing with a great run but his drilled cross had no takers.

Aberdeen opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Mulgrew’s free kick was cleared only as far as Young on the wing and his cross into the box found Miller. The strikers neat lay off found MCDONALD and he placed a sidefoot shot which beat Cerny and with the help of the post, the ball just crossed the line to give Aberdeen a deserved lead.

A Severin long ball from back to front almost found Mackie in the 14th minute but Cerny gathered. Cerny also had to look sharp in the 22nd minute to stop Aluko’s though ball finding the onrushing Miller.

Aberdeen pressed forward looking for a second goal in the 24th minute when Aluko found Mulgrew. His cross found Mackie but the Hamilton defence managed to get the ball cleared.

Aluko was finding joy out on the left hand side of midfield and he had the crowd on their feet again in the 26th minute after a neat one two with Mulgrew but his cross drifted too long and out to safety.

Mulgrew had a chance in the 27th minute after McDonald was tripped at the edge of the box but his effort was high and wide.

Hamilton made an enforced change in the 31st minute when Stevenson took a knock. He was replaced by McCarthy. In the 33rd minute Hamilton equalised against the run of play. Foster tried to shepherd the ball out of play wide on the goalline. Easton had different ideas as he robbed faster and sent in a cross which was headed out by Considine as far as GRAHAM whose first time looping volley gave langfield no chance for an excellent equaliser.

Aberdeen tried to hit back immediately when Considine robbed Offiong. The ball broke to Kerr who in turn released Aluko. His run and cross flew accross goal and Hamilton escaped again as the ball harmlesly drifted out of play.

Aberdeen started the second half determined to regain the lead. An Aluko corner in the 48th minute was headed on by McDonald to Miller who headed home but the goal was dissallowed due to a push from McDonald.

Hamilton almost took the lead in the 50th minute when Sorso broke down the right hand side. His cross found Offiong in space. He looked destined to score until Severin managed get back and put in a challenge to divert the danger.

A neat move in the 52nd minute involving Aluko, Young and Miller found Foster out wide on the right but his cross drifted out of play. Hamilton then took a shock lead in the 57th minute. Considine tried to shield a bouncing ball back to Langfield. McCARTHY nipped in between them to flick the ball over Langfield’s head and into the back of the net.

Miller was then booked in the 59th minute for handball although it was for persistant fouling as the home fans grew impatient. Jimmy Calderwood made a change with 30 minutes left by replacing Mackie with Maguire and Hamilton also made a change with Offiong being replaced by Akins.

Mulgrew had another free kick attempt in the 65th minute after Maguire was fouled at the edge of the box and the full back’s effort wasn’t too far away as it dipped over the bar. Young was then replaced by De Visscher and Diamond replaced Considine as Aberdeen used all of their remaining substitutions.

Hamilton took goalscorer Graham off in the 70th minute and replaced him with Mark Corcoran. In the 72nd minute McDonald came close to getting his second of the afternoon when he hit a half voley at the edge of the box but his effort was inches over the crossbar.

With Aberdeen pushing for a goal it left them vulnerable in defence and Corcoran almost made them pay in the 72nd minute as his half volley sailed just wide. Aluko’s cross in the 76th minute was cleared as Maguire was set to pounce and Severin’s half volley from the edge of the box was blocked by Canning 6 yards out.

Aberdeen were pressing hard and in the 77th minute Foster had a shot from the edge of the box blocked out for a corner as Hamilton looked to protect their lead. Neil picked up a booking for a push on Miller out wide and in the 84th minute Elebert fouled Miller again at the edge of the box. Canning was booked for contesting the decision. This time the lively Aluko hit a left foot shot which clipped the top of the bar and went over for a goal kick.

Mulgrew was booked for dissent 86th minute and Atkins joined him for timewasting in the 90th minute as the referee called time on a frustrating and dissappointing match.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mulgrew, Foster, McDonald, Severin, Kerr, Miller, Mackie, (Maguire 60) Young (De Visscher 65) Considine (Diamond 65) Aluko,

Subs: Bossu, Wright, Hodgkiss,  Mair,

Attendance: 10, 865