Aberdeen took the lead in the first minute of their vital Scottish Premiership match against relegation rivals Kilmarnock and managed to hold on for a narrow 1-0 win. The home side's early opener was scored by Afeez Aremu, and despite rarely looking like adding a second goal, they successfully defended their lead. Kilmarnock's Aaron Tshibola headed off the bar twice, and Jack Milne came close to scoring an own goal as he headed off his own crossbar. The Dons had previously won their final game before the split against Hibs, opening up a five-point gap on Kilmarnock, who currently occupy the play-off spot.
Neil McCann's Kilmarnock side made one change from their previous lineup, with Max Stryjek returning in goal after a six-month absence due to heart surgery. However, Stryjek's return was marred by Aberdeen's early goal, which was scored when Mitchel Frame's throw-in was worked back to Stuart Armstrong, who squared the ball for Aremu to calmly slot into the bottom-right corner from 15 yards. The home side worked several openings, utilizing the pace of Toyosi Olusanya, but failed to threaten Stryjek's goal. A penalty claim was denied when the ball seemed to strike the arm of Robbie Deas, and referee Nick Walsh was unmoved.
Kilmarnock swiftly broke and won a free-kick, from which substitute Dominic Thompson whipped in a delivery for Tshibola to head off the crossbar. The away side settled into the game, with winger Nicky Clescenco asking questions of Aberdeen right-back Alexander Jensen, and drew the first save of the second half from Dimitar Mitov.
Aberdeen's Milne had headed wide when free at the back post, and Olusanya hit over soon after in a bright opening to the second period. Stryjek was called into action soon after, claiming another Frame delivery that came off two Kilmarnock bodies. However, Aberdeen were left counting their blessings on the hour as Clescenco again got away down the left, clipping in for the late-arriving Tshibola, who saw his header clip the crossbar for the second time.
The Dons' goal was leading a charmed life, as the crossbar was struck for a third time, with Milne turning Greg Kiltie's teasing cross off his own bar. Milne popped up at the other end shortly after, his looping header from Ante Palaversa's free-kick forcing a superb save from Stryjek, which would prove his final act before being forced off with a head injury. Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson praised his team's character, saying, 'It's a huge three points.
We started the game really well, and I think for 15-20 minutes we were excellent, and then nerves set in.' Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann expressed pride in his team's performance, saying, 'We spoke about having a smart start and don't give Aberdeen a lift, which is exactly what we did, and to rub salt in the wounds we lose Jamie to injury as well.'