Scott Vernon's 10th goal of the season was enough to earn Aberdeen maximum points against struggling Dunfermline.

Iain Turner hesitated in coming to collect a long ball from Mark Reynolds and Vernon headed over the stranded goalkeeper on 24 minutes.

Prior to the breakthrough, Pars striker Liam Buchanan headed straight at Jason Brown from close range.

Brown saved from sub Joe Cardle two minutes from time as the Dons held on to move up to sixth in the SPL.

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre included Mark Kerr against the team he once captained, while the Dons' new midfielder, Stephen Hughes, started on the bench but played for the last 20 minutes in place of Fraser Fyvie.

And Kerr made a bright start at his old ground, picking out Liam Buchanan whose deflected shot drifted wide for a corner.

The hosts carved out their first real opening after six minutes when Rory McArdle crossed for Fyvie but Turner managed to tip the midfielder's low shot past the post.

Scott Vernon celebrates his decisive goal at Pittodrie

Vernon was on target for Craig Brown's team at Pittodrie

Dunfermline should have broken the deadlock after 13 minutes when David Graham's perfect cross picked out the unmarked Buchanan but the striker's header was straight at Brown.

The Dons almost capitalised when Turner flapped at a Fyvie cross after 20 minutes but Reynolds' header just cleared the crossbar.

Aberdeen made the breakthrough after 24 minutes when Reynolds picked out Vernon with a hopeful pass upfield and the Englishman's first-time header looped over the badly positioned Turner and into the unguarded net.

Turner did well to block a Chris Clark drive, which took a wicked deflection, just before the break.

The Dons looked eager to put the result beyond doubt in the early stages of the second half with Clark Robertson firing well over and Vernon outpacing Kevin Rutkiewicz but his angled shot was well handled by Turner.

The hosts wasted another opportunity on the hour mark when they were awarded a free-kick in an inviting position but Turner was equal to Kari Arnason's weak, low drive.

However Dunfermline were enjoying large chunks of possession with Graham proving a particular nuisance to the Dons rearguard.

In a bid to stem the Pars' attacks, Dons manager Craig Brown introduced Hughes for his debut and Mohamed Chalali for Magennis and Fyvie after 69 minutes.

The Pars introduced Andy Kirk and Cardle for Willis and Buchanan with 11 minutes remaining as Dunfermline pressed for the equaliser.

And it was Cardle who should have earned his side a point two minutes from time when he latched onto McArdle's slack backpass but Brown denied the Dunfermline substitute to ensure the Dons held out for the win.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Aberdeen

  • 32 Brown
  • 02 McArdle
  • 03 Reynolds
  • 06 Considine
  • 13 Robertson
  • 07 Clark
  • 11 Arnason
  • 17 Fyvie (Hughes - 69' )
  • 22 Jack
  • 09 Vernon
  • 21 Magennis (Chalali - 69' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Langfield
  • 20 Hughes
  • 33 Masson
  • 10 Mackie
  • 14 Fallon
  • 18 Chalali
  • 23 Megginson

Dunfermline

  • 25 Turner
  • 05 Rutkiewicz
  • 06 Keddie
  • 13 Boyle
  • 15 Dowie
  • 02 Kerr Booked
  • 04 Mason (Hardie - 85' )
  • 22 Willis (Cardle - 79' )
  • 23 Thomson
  • 11 Graham
  • 19 Buchanan (Kirk - 79' )

Substitutes

  • 20 Smith
  • 16 Potter
  • 07 Cardle
  • 08 Hardie
  • 34 Byrne
  • 10 Kirk
  • 12 McDougall
Ref: Craig Thomson
Att: 8,081

Match Stats

Shots

16 3

On target

7 3

Corners

5 6

Fouls

8 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:13

The referee ends the match.

90:00 +1:37

The ball is sent over by Mohamed Chalali, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Scott Vernon goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

90:00 +0:53

Kevin Rutkiewicz gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mohamed Chalali. Stephen Hughes takes the indirect free kick.

89:00

The assistant referee flags for offside against Mohamed Chalali. Free kick taken by Iain Turner.

86:20

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Andy Kirk.

85:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Clark Robertson on Mark Kerr. Kevin Rutkiewicz takes the free kick.

84:58 Substitution

Substitution Martin Hardie joins the action as a substitute, replacing Gary Mason.

81:50

Ryan Jack concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Mason. Direct free kick taken by Mark Kerr.

81:05

Unfair challenge on Mohamed Chalali by Mark Kerr results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Rory McArdle.

79:53

Unfair challenge on Clark Robertson by Andy Dowie results in a free kick. Clark Robertson restarts play with the free kick.

78:12 Substitution

Substitution Joe Cardle is brought on as a substitute for Paul Willis.

78:12 Substitution

Substitution Andy Kirk comes on in place of Liam Buchanan.

75:31

The ball is swung over by Ryan Thomson, Kari Arnason makes a clearance.

73:24

David Graham delivers the ball.

68:07

Jason Brown takes the indirect free kick.

68:07 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Hughes comes on in place of Fraser Fyvie.

68:07 Substitution

Substitution Josh Magennis leaves the field to be replaced by Mohamed Chalali.

68:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin Rutkiewicz on Rory McArdle.

68:01

The ball is crossed by David Graham, clearance made by Andrew Considine.

67:21

Paul Willis takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Ryan Jack makes a clearance.

67:12

The ball is sent over by Paul Willis, Clark Robertson manages to make a clearance.

66:44

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Paul Willis, Rory McArdle manages to make a clearance.

64:49

Patrick Boyle sends in a cross, Andrew Considine makes a clearance.

60:01

The referee blows for offside against Scott Vernon. Indirect free kick taken by Iain Turner.

59:16

Shot from 25 yards from Kari Arnason. Save by Iain Turner.

58:48

Andy Dowie gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Chris Clark. Free kick taken by Fraser Fyvie.

58:15

David Graham delivers the ball, Jason Brown makes a save.

57:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kari Arnason on Gary Mason. Alex Keddie takes the free kick.

56:44

Liam Buchanan delivers the ball.

56:31

David Graham delivers the ball, clearance by Rory McArdle.

55:47

Effort on goal by Scott Vernon from 18 yards. Save by Iain Turner.

54:09

The ball is delivered by Kari Arnason, Alex Keddie manages to make a clearance.

50:41

Clark Robertson takes a long range shot clearing the crossbar.

45:53

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Paul Willis, Rory McArdle manages to make a clearance.

45:44

The ball is crossed by Paul Willis, blocked by Clark Robertson.

45:22

Kevin Rutkiewicz fouled by Scott Vernon, the ref awards a free kick. Kevin Rutkiewicz takes the indirect free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +0:02

The referee calls an end to the first half.

43:53

Ryan Thomson fouled by Chris Clark, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andy Dowie.

42:51

Liam Buchanan is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jason Brown restarts play with the free kick.

41:30

Fraser Fyvie produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.

41:30 Booking

Booking Mark Kerr booked.

41:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fraser Fyvie by Mark Kerr.

40:23

Corner taken by Fraser Fyvie, Alex Keddie makes a clearance.

39:20

Mark Kerr concedes a free kick for a foul on Fraser Fyvie. Free kick crossed right-footed by Fraser Fyvie from right wing, Mark Kerr makes a clearance. Chris Clark has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the target.

38:11

Gary Mason crosses the ball.

37:03

Unfair challenge on Gary Mason by Ryan Jack results in a free kick. Alex Keddie takes the free kick.

36:29

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fraser Fyvie by Ryan Thomson. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.

35:40

Gary Mason concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Jack. Ryan Jack takes the free kick.

33:38

Fraser Fyvie produces a volleyed left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

32:45

The ball is crossed by Josh Magennis, clearance made by Andy Dowie.

32:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kevin Rutkiewicz by Scott Vernon. Kevin Rutkiewicz takes the free kick.

29:04

David Graham gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kari Arnason. Jason Brown restarts play with the free kick.

28:48

The ball is sent over by David Graham, clearance made by Clark Robertson.

26:36

The assistant referee flags for offside against Josh Magennis. Indirect free kick taken by Iain Turner.

25:39

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Fraser Fyvie.

25:33

The ball is delivered by Chris Clark, Patrick Boyle makes a clearance.

23:24

Clark Robertson provided the assist for the goal.

23:24 Goal scored

Goal - Scott Vernon - Aberdeen 1 - 0 Dunf'mline Scott Vernon finds the net with a headed goal from just inside the penalty box. Aberdeen 1-0 Dunfermline.

21:50

Shot by Ryan Thomson from 18 yards. Iain Turner makes a save.

21:25

Ryan Thomson fouled by Kari Arnason, the ref awards a free kick. Kevin Rutkiewicz takes the free kick.

19:01

Fraser Fyvie sends in a cross, Close range headed effort by Mark Reynolds goes wide of the left-hand upright.

18:39

Fraser Fyvie takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Alex Keddie.

17:04

Liam Buchanan is ruled offside. Mark Reynolds takes the indirect free kick.

16:01

Corner taken right-footed by Paul Willis to the near post, Clark Robertson manages to make a clearance.

15:51

A cross is delivered by Paul Willis, Andrew Considine manages to make a clearance.

13:52

Fraser Fyvie has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the goal.

13:16

Shot by Josh Magennis. Save made by Iain Turner.

11:43

A cross is delivered by Gary Mason, Liam Buchanan takes a shot. Save by Jason Brown.

11:25

A cross is delivered by Liam Buchanan, Rory McArdle manages to make a clearance.

9:45

Josh Magennis fouled by Alex Keddie, the ref awards a free kick. Kari Arnason produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

9:26

Chris Clark delivers the ball, Kevin Rutkiewicz manages to make a clearance.

5:32

Corner taken right-footed by Fraser Fyvie, Shot by Kari Arnason from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

5:15

Rory McArdle delivers the ball, Fraser Fyvie takes a shot. Iain Turner makes a save.

5:08

Scott Vernon crosses the ball, blocked by Alex Keddie.

3:52

Effort from a long way out by Fraser Fyvie goes wide left of the goal.

2:54

Corner taken by Fraser Fyvie, Rory McArdle takes a shot. Save by Iain Turner.

2:47

A cross is delivered by Josh Magennis, blocked by Alex Keddie.

1:44

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ryan Thomson, Jason Brown makes a save.

1:15

Liam Buchanan takes a shot. Blocked by Andrew Considine.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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