Stuart Armstrong’s first half strike earns Aberdeen crucial win in Ayrshire and ends the Dons’ five year drought at Rugby Park

It was an impressive start for the Dons, where they saw the majority of the possession. Aberdeen had a very early chance, but Jesper Karlsson’s effort was blocked.

Kilmarnock soon had one of their own, from the edge of the box, but it was well saved by Mitov in goals.

Aberdeen found themselves ahead after 16 minutes, Karlsson with an effort deflected off a Kilmarnock defender, where Stuart Armstrong calmly struck it into the corner of the net to send the Dons ahead.

Killie had a great chance to draw level, Dackers had an attempt from close range but fired high, which should’ve rattled the back of the net.

Aberdeen probably played the better football, but it’s just the one goal which separates the sides going into the break.

Killie had a great chance early in the first half, Thomson with a corner into the box, and Deas with a simple tap in at the back post but smashed it high and misses as the ball came quickly at him.

Robbie Deas had the ball in the net, a short free kick from Thomson clipped onto Polworth, who whipped it into the box, but Brad Lyons, who put the ball into Deas, found himself offside.

Zac Williams nearly had the hosts level again, but a header was saved comfortably by Mitov in goals.

Kilmarnock came close once again in the final 15, a corner in from Dominic Thomson, and Lyons coming in quickly with his heading, firing wide of goal.

Aberdeen were having to defend well in the latter stages as Kilmarnock were looking very confident in grabbing an equaliser as the hosts piled on the pressure.

The home side were piling on the pressure but just weren’t managing to get the ball into the net as the Dons continued to defend for their lives. There were penalty claims by Killie after Dackers was taken down by the goal scorer, Armstrong, but nothing given.

The full-time whistle went, as the Dons will be very glad the whistle went, but a crucial three points for Aberdeen as Jimmy Thelin takes the vital win back up to Pittodrie.

Player Ratings:

Kilmarnock: Oluwayemi 6, Stranger 7, Deas 8, Williams 6, Brannan 6, Watson 6, Lyons 7, Polworth 6, Thomson 7, Dackers 6, Kiltie 6.

Subs: John-Jules 6, McKenzie 6, Tiffony 6, Anderson 6.

Aberdeen: Mitov 8, Devlin 7, Milne 8, Knoester 7, Jensen 7, Shinnie 7, Polvara 7, Lobban 7, Karlsson 8, Lazetic 6, Armstrong 9.

Subs: Nisbet 6.