…by injury time strike.

Aberdeen lost their first goal and first match of the campaign as Kilmarnock scored in injury time after a defensive mix up. Both sides had chances in the match and to be fair Kilmarnock had probably created the better of them as Aberdeen were forced into two goal line clearances and Howard made a couple of great saves. Bell was also in fine form in the Kilmarnock goal and just as it looked as if the points would be shared a disaster at the back produced the winner deep into injury time. Megginson left the ball for Howard allowing Hamill to nip in and fire into an empty net.

Aberdeen kicked off as the heavens opened at Pittodrie and in the 2nd minute Magennis and Maguire linked well before Killie cleared. Within a minute both Pawlett and Magennis forced Bell into saves as the Dons made a positive start. Aberdeen were causing real problems to the visitors and good work from Magennis created a chance that both Maguire and Pawlett attempted to convert before getting in each others way. In the aftermath Pawlett required treatment.

Kilmarnock then won the first corner of the match in the 10th minute, but Aberdeen cleared easily. Three minutes later Kilmarnock were awarded a very soft free kick 20 yards out, but fortunately Killie wasted the chance. In fifteen minutes Hartley was awarded an equally soft free kick and from the captains’ delivery Aberdeen won their first corner, but the cross was too deep. Three minutes later Considine won a free kick and as the delivery was whipped in by Hartley. Bell could only parry the ball before blocking the rebound from McArdle.

Kilmarnock had a woeful attempt in the 22nd minute and three minutes later Aberdeen won another free kick, but again the ball was scrambled clear. At the other end another soft free kick was awarded and a dangerous ball across goal caused a few problems before rolling out of play. After a good start the Dons had lost some of their early rhythm and Kilmarnock were taking some confidence from this. Magennis was unlucky with a neat turn in the 32nd minute, but Wright retrieved the situation. Mackie then had a glimpse of goal a minute later after he was set up by Magennis, but again Wright came to the rescue.

McArdle then forced a corner in the 35th minute but Kilmarnock cleared comfortably. Kilmarnock almost went ahead in the 37th minute as Sammon beat Howard and McArdle had to clear the ball off the line to prevent the goal. Three minutes later a loose ball from Pawlett set up another Kilmarnock attack and it took a great challenge from Diamond to prevent Sammon from scoring. The Dons play was becoming peppered with mistakes now as the good early form appeared a distant memory. With two minutes to the interval Hartley set up Magennis and his shot from distance wasn’t too far away.

Aberdeen started the second half positively with both Hartley and Folly having shots at goal. The first was blocked and the second failed to test Bell. The Dons went close in the 50th minute following good play from Mackie as he beat several defenders and saw his effort deflected for a corner. Again the corner was too deep, but Aberdeen were looking more positive in these early stages. Forceful play from Hartley in the 53rd minute earned him a free kick 25 yards out and the captain played the ball wide where he found Mackie who headed inches wide.

Aberdeen made a double substitution as Vernon and Megginson came on for Magennis and Maguire. Just on the hour mark Kilmarnock won a corner after a great challenge from Ifil. Howard turned the cross round the post for a second corner as Killie enjoyed a spell of pressure. Howard saved Aberdeen in the 70th minute when he made a great save low to his left to deny Sammon. Seconds later McArdle and Sammon had a clash of heads that harshly earned the Killie striker a yellow card.

Three minutes later Megginson was caught late and from the subsequent free kick McArdle attempted an overhead kick that went well over. A corner followed in the 76th minute after good play from Megginson, but Killie broke quickly and Howard had to come well out of his goal to clear the danger. Another Kilmarnock corner followed in the 78th minute but the ball eluded everyone. Howard was then forced into another fine save from Hamill as he tipped a long range effort over the bar. From the subsequent corner Mackie cleared the ball off the line as Kilmarnock looked the more likely.

At the other end Mackie won a corner with loud appeals, mainly from the stands, for a penalty kick. Kilmarnock broke as Folly was taken out of the play. Nothing was given but seconds later Considine was booked for a late challenge. Play was raging from end to end now and McArdle had to make another great block before Foster replaced Mackie in the closing minutes. Dogged play from Diamond produced a late corner, but the Dons failed to convert as the match moved into three minutes of stoppage time. Bell made another fine save as Aberdeen threw everything at the Ayrshire men.

Then a complete disaster in the final minute produced a winner for Kilmarnock. Megginson left the ball for Howard allowing Hamill to nip in and fire into an empty net. As Hartley appealed for a hand ball from earlier in the build up the goal left the Pittodrie faithful stunned. Kilmarnock, who were the last side to score against Aberdeen, finally ended the Dons good run of over seven and a half hours of competitive football without conceding.