Superb strikes from Pawlett & McGinn seal victory

St Johnstone 0 | Fallon sent off 69′

Aberdeen 2 | Pawlett 17′, McGinn 85′

SPFL Premiership | McDiarmid Park, Perth | K.O. 3pm | Att: 4741 | FT

Match summary:

Aberdeen claimed three points in Perth thanks to fantastic goals from Peter Pawlett and Niall McGinn. The Dons started brightly and created a few chances in the opening stages before getting their reward on 17 minutes when Pawlett picked up a neat back heal from Scott Vernon and drilled the ball home from 20 yards. Both sides created chances after that -including a fine save by Jamie Langfield from a Stevie May effort- but there was no further scoring in the first period.

The visitors found themselves on top of their game in the second half but couldn’t find a second goal. St Johnstone were dealt a blow when- just 51 seconds after coming on- former Don Rory Fallon was sent off for a challenge on Michael Hector. The Dons pushed for a second and were rewarded on 85 minutes when McGinn scored a stunning goal to guarantee his side all three points.

Derek McInnes made two changes to the side that defeated Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup last weekend with Jonny Hayes returning from injury in place of Gregg Wylde and Scott Vernon replacing Calvin Zola up front. The full line up was:

Aberdeen | Langfield, Hector, Anderson, Considine, Reynolds, Robson (Low 89′), Jack, McGinn, Pawlett, Hayes (Flood 77′), Vernon (Magennis 88′)

Substitutes not used | Weaver, Shaughnessy, Zola, Wylde,

RedWeb Match Report | please click here

RedImages | please click here

Quotes from the press room | please click here

REDTV action & reaction

The goals | please click here

Derek McInnes gives his reaction to victory in Perth | please click here

Russell Anderson speaks to Andrew for REDTV | please click here

Peter Pawlett chats to the media | please click here