Falkirk 0-1 Aberdeen

Lee Miller's second-half header was all that separated the sides

Lee Miller's second-half header gave Aberdeen their first win in six games and lifted them above Falkirk at the bottom of the SPL table.

Neither side looked likely to score in a scrappy first half in blustery conditions at the Falkirk Stadium.

The Dons broke the deadlock after 48 minutes when Miller rose to power home Andrew Considine's inch-perfect cross.

Steve Lovell squandered three great chances to nick a point for Falkirk and Lee Bullen was sent-off in added time.

The Dons headed south desperate for a victory after a dreadful run of form and the three points will have eased the pressure on manager Jimmy Calderwood.

The match kicked off in a swirling wind which was hardly conducive to either side's passing game.

It was the home side who seemed more in the mood early on.

Holden was heavily involved in the opening stages, bombing forward from left back to provide support to the Bairns' attacks.

And it was down the left that the home side carved out the game's first real opportunity in the eighth minute.

Michael Higdon burst through a couple of weak challenges before sending Neil McCann scampering away down the flank.

The winger's cross was magnificent but former Aberdeen striker Lovell's header back across goal drifted wide of the target.

Scott Flinders then found himself in the spotlight on his debut as referee Willie Collum made two close calls.

Holden's back pass was short in the 17th minute and the on-loan Crystal Palace keeper appeared to bring down Darren Mackie as the Dons marksman reached the ball first, only for Collum to wave play on.

Two minutes later, Lovell had the ball in the net at the other end but play was pulled back for a push on Scott Severin in the build-up.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood responded to his team's uninspired first-half showing by making a change at the break, with winger Sone Aluko being introduced at the expense of Stuart Duff.

And the former Birmingham youngster was immediately involved as the Dons took the lead only three minutes after the interval.

Aluko made inroads in midfield before the ball was shipped wide to Considine.

The defender's superb cross was inch-perfect for former Falkirk striker Miller to head powerfully in from eight yards.

Falkirk were knocked out of their stride by the goal but came close to restoring parity only seven minutes later.

McCann's low free-kick allowed Higdon to back into his marker and turn but his resultant shot drifted across goal and wide of the upright.

Arfield's shot was deflected off Considine and into the arms of Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield as the Bairns continued to seek a way back into the match.

However, Aluko should have done better at the other end when a lightning break climaxed with a heavy touch, allowing Flinders to grab the ball at the winger's feet.

Lovell, who had been quiet against his old team, then came within a whisker of an equaliser for Falkirk as he side-footed McCann's cutback just wide.

The striker then passed up an even clearer chance in the 74th minute as Falkirk kept up their siege on the Dons goal.

No matter how many long balls Falkirk threw forward in the closing minutes they could not find a way through.

And to compound their misery, Bullen was given his marching orders in stoppage time after chopping Severin as the Dons midfielder broke clear.

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Falkirk manager John Hughes:
"I felt we were the better team and dominated the game. We could have scored one or two goals but it just wasn't to be and you get days like that.

"And I'd need to see Steve Lovell's disallowed goal.

"I can't fault my team whatsoever, taking the game to Aberdeen. Falkirk deserved something out of that game.

"The first decent cross that comes into our box ends up in a goal.

"I believe in our philosophy, our style of play.

"No criticism of my players. In fact, even in defeat, I'm proud of them."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood:
"It's a massive result for us at a very difficult venue. Today we got the rub of the green that we've not been getting.

"In all fairness to John (Hughes)'s team it's probably a draw but we've got the victory.

"We know we should've won games we've lost in the last couple of weeks. Hopefully we can take confidence from it take it to Tynecastle next week.

"It's been a long time since we've had a victory on a Saturday. At last we'll have a good weekend. It's been five or six weeks.

"The last two weeks we've been bottom. It hurts. We're off that and hopefully it's the last time we see that."

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Falkirk: Flinders, McNamara, Holden, Bullen, Barr, McBride (Mark Stewart 86), McCann, Arfield (Cregg 80), O'Brien, Higdon (Barrett 73), Lovell. Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Aafjes, Riera, Lynch.

Sent Off: Bullen (90).

Booked: Higdon, Barr, Cregg, Holden.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Mair, Diamond, Considine, Duff (Aluko 46), Kerr (McDonald 66), Severin, Young, Miller (Jamie Smith 74), Mackie. Subs Not Used: Bateman, Hodgkiss, De Visscher, Maguire.

Booked: Aluko.

Goals: Miller 48.

Att: 5,662

Ref: W Collum (Scotland).