St Mirren 0-1 Aberdeen

Darren Mackie celebrates his goal with Gary McDonald

Darren Mackie produced a sucker-punch for Aberdeen two minutes before half-time in their Scottish Premier League win away to St Mirren.

Billy Mehmet missed two great chances as the home side took control.

But sloppy defending from Will Haining and John Potter presented Mackie with a late chance and he fired home the only goal of the half from 12 yards.

The game was set up for Aberdeen, who were able to play on the counter and soak up St Mirren's pressure.

Both teams took turns in possession in the early stages, trying to play good football on a forgiving pitch.

However, it took 14 minutes for either goalkeeper to be called into action, although Jamie Langfield was alert enough to pull off a double save.

The Dons number one pushed away Franco Miranda's bouncing 30-yard strike but only as far as Billy Mehmet.

Saints' big striker scored a hat-trick against Dumbarton in the league cup in midweek, but a moment's hesitation allowed Langfield to recover and block his follow-up from eight yards.

In one of the Dons' rare moves forward, Mackie sliced a first-time volley well wide for the visitors, but Derek Young came closer when he curled just beyond the far post after creating space for himself 25 yards out.

Miranda was far too high with a 30-yard free-kick and Saints soon had another chance as Charlie Mulgrew was booked for tripping Andy Dorman after Garry Brady's pass had caught him out.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to the result at St Mirren Park

Nothing came of Dorman's delivery, but Saints kept the pressure on and Gary Mason had a low shot saved from long distance following a good passing move.

St Mirren then missed a sitter from six yards after 30 minutes following good work from Miranda who headed it down from a Dorman cross, the Aberdeen defence for once all at sea, but Mehmet blasted high into the stand.

However, with just two minutes left of the half, Mackie rifles home his first goal of the season, after mistake from Will Haining, very much against the run of play.

Lee Miller found himself in space after Haining was caught short and John Potter's challenge ran straight back into the path of Mackie.

St Mirren were aggrieved and look to hit back straight away, but the Dons' defence held firm until the whistle.

Into the second half, Mehmet missed a glorious chance after five minutes.

Aberdeen's Darren Mackie capitalises on St Mirren's mix-up to score

However, Haining was struggling after a head knock and seemed to have problems with his vision. The player on loan from Celtic, Scott Cuthbert, was his replacement.

After 13 minutes of the half, Dorman had a shot cleared off the line by Richard Foster, covering for Langfield to keep the lead intact.

Aberdeen's fans were now getting behind their team in ever more vocal numbers and Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl were pleased with the ordered way their team were playing.

St Mirren's frustration was there for all to see when Craig Dargo took a wild kick at Andrew Considine after he lost possession just inside the Dons half, with the striker fortunate to receive only a yellow card.

Two minutes later, the former Aberdeen striker Dennis Wyness was introduced for Robb as St Mirren boss Gus Macpherson tried to get his side back on level terms.

However, Dorman's long-range strike, which was smothered by Langfield, was all they could produce.

Lee Miller was then booked for diving after 30 minutes of the half when he was straight through on goal. Willie Collum judging that the Aberdeen striker made the most of what looked like a poor challenge.

Tommy Wright made an entrance for Aberdeen, replacing Lee Miller to resounding boos and catcalls from the St Mirren support.

However, there was little else to shout about for the home fans as Aberdeen continued their good start to the season.

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St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson:
"We should have won the game. We had three or four really good chances and just one mistake at the end of the first half has punished us.

"I thought Garry Brady was the best player on the park, a real assured performance against quality opposition.

"At half-time we are scratching our heads and wondering how we have gone in one down with the dominance that we had.

"I think the manner which we're playing is exciting, we've just got to cut out individual mistakes and keep playing with the belief and confidence we have been showing."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood:
"I thought we started very well and were knocking it about but then we started to get sloppy.

"It was a mistake by them and we've got a break at a very important time.

"Second half we had so many chances to put it bed and we didn't. Gus's team worked their socks off and Garry Brady did really well for them in midfield.

"But we got the result and it's another clean sheet away from home. That's us got seven points from four games now in difficult matches."

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St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Miranda, Mason, Haining (Cuthbert 55), Potter, Dorman, Brady, Robb (Wyness 63), Mehmet, Dargo (O'Donnell 74).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Murray, Barron, McAusland.

Booked: Ross, Dargo, Dorman.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mulgrew, Foster, Mair, Considine, McDonald, Jamie Smith, Young (De Visscher 73), Kerr, Miller (Wright 78), Mackie (Maguire 84).
Subs Not Used: Bossu, Duff, Stuart Smith, Hodgkiss.

Booked: Miller, Maguire.

Goals: Mackie 43.

Att: 4,680

Ref: W Collum.

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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Aberdeen's Charlie Mulgrew 7.80 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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