Late goal seals win

It wasn’t the most entertaining ninety minutes that the red army will witness this season, but they were sent home happy when Charlie Mulgrew converted an 88th minute free kick after Darren Mackie had been brought down on the edge of the box. Lee Mair’s return to Pittodrie ended in disappointment as the centre back was shown a second yellow card in the m?l?e following the goal, but that won’t take away the delight as the Dons make it four games in a row undefeated and complete a four-in-a-row shut out for Jamie Langfield.

St. Mirren kicked off, but it was Aberdeen who were first to threaten as an early ball into the Saints box was claimed by Gallacher. There were few chances created in the opening five minutes but in the 7th minute Miller did well on the left and when Aluko touched the ball back to Kerr his shot was deflected and keeper Gallacher was able to claim the ball in front of McDonald. A minute later Aluko had a dig from 25 yards, but he never really threatened the Saints goal.

Aberdeen should have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Mulgrew played a terrific ball into the danger area and Gallacher made a great save from a point blank header from Miller before Considine turned the loose ball wide of the target. A minute later Barron collected the first yellow card of the match for a poor challenge on Aluko, but Mulgrew was unable to replicate his free kick of 60 seconds earlier.

The visiting defence looked comfortable at this stage as the Dons probed for the opener, but at the other end McGinn fired wide. Paton won a corner in the 23rd minute as his shot was deflected wide when he latched on to an Aluko cross. The corner was comfortably defended and following some stagnant play Brady went close for the Saints when he fired inches wide with a strike from the edge of the box. Aluko was taken out of the game again on the right hand side as Barron walked a tightrope. Seconds later Mulgrew was fouled twice in the space of five seconds, but was somehow penalised for the offence.

Barron continued to take a chance as he took a kick at Lee Miller, but referee Thomson was happy to let the free kick suffice. Saints forced a corner in the 42nd minute and Langfield was forced to venture into the crowd to punch clear. Two minutes later Saints were awarded a soft free kick on the right and from this position they were able to force a late corner as St. Mirren managed to finish the half on top.

There were early appeals for a spot kick in the second half as Dargo went down rather easily in the 49th minute and was lucky to escape a booking for simulation. A minute later Saints won the first corner of the second half as they made a positive start. Seconds later Maguire replaced Paton and Aberdeen went straight into the attack, but Aluko was sent too wide by Maguire as the space opened up. At the other end Mehmet was given too much space in the Aberdeen box, before the ball was scrambled clear and as Maguire broke he was brought down by Barron.

A Miller shot was deflected into the arms of Gallacher in the 56th minute and seconds later Potter was lucky to escape a card following a cynical foul. From the free kick Mulgrew delivered another great ball that managed to evade everyone. An Aluko shot on the hour mark had Gallacher at full stretch as he managed to grab the ball at the second attempt with Miller bearing down on him. Pawlett then replaced Grassi and three minutes later an offside decision halted Craig Dargo as he went one-on-one with Langfield.

Foster was released wide right in the 65th minute, but his cross was too near the keeper. Neither side were looking capable of breaching the defences as the prospect of a third 0-0 draw looked more likely. Miller won a free kick in 75 minutes as ex-Don Lee Mair collected a rather soft yellow card. Mulgrew lined the ball up from 30 yards out and smashed it off the crossbar before Pawlett attempted an overhead kick that was saved by Gallacher low to his right. Two minutes later Foster won a corner when his vicious shot was deflected for a corner.

The game was now suffering from constant stoppages as the referee looked to halt the play at every opportunity. Mackie replaced Aluko in the 82nd minute as Barron continued to walk a tight tope. A goalmouth scramble in the 85th minute saw Gallacher flap at the ball before it was eventually booted clear. The Dons were presented with a late chance when Mackie was taken down on the edge of the box with two minutes remaining. Mulgrew made no mistake as he curled the ball into the corner of the net to secure all three points for the Dons. In the aftermath Lee Mair was sent off by referee Thomson when he was shown a second yellow card to end an unhappy return for the ex Don.

In the final minute Langfield was down quickly to deny Dornan a low shot. Pawlett then had to track back to halt another attack as St. Mirren looked to level. Pawlett was then unlucky to concede a free kick on the edge of the box in the fourth minute of injury time. Fortunately Mehmet fired well over to ensure the Dons recorded their first home win of the season.