EXPERT penalty-kick taker Lewis Ferguson fired-in his ninth sport-kick of the season to grab this victory, only manager Jim Goodwin’s second victory in charge at Pittodrie.
In a compelling game, the Dons had to deal with a series of threats from the visitors, still looking for their first win in ten under new manager Mark McGhee, defiant at the end that his men can still move off bottom spot in the Premiership.
He had no argument with referee Willie Collum’s decision to point to the spot after Jonny Hayes was taken down in the 73rd minute by Jordan Marshall but, like Goodwin, pointed to a superb display by Dons keeper Joe Lewis - arguably his best this season - who produced a series of excellent saves.
The relief for Aberdeen at the end was palpable as Goodwin and his players took the plaudits from equally relieved supporters, desperate for a win to ease them away from the play-off place which threatened to suck the club towards it.
He said: He said: “It would have been nice to stand on the touchline and relax instead of it always being a bit nervy which isn’t enjoyable as a manager. It was relief at the end and I think that’s how we all feel.
“The players aren’t high-fiving in the changing room. We are in a poor place in the league for this club. It was about getting the victory and that’s what we have done. We have a lot to improve on.”
For McGhee, it was another disappointment, one that followed a pre-match blow with goalkeeper Ian Lawlor pulling out because of illness, although his stand-in Harry Sharp was in top form.
He said: “That’s an improvement. I’m delighted with the performance, especially in the first half.
“If you don’t take your chances you won’t win games.
“I don’t know if it is any more difficult to stay up after this game.
“I believe if we win the last three game we will be in the play-offs.
“We have shown in the last four games what we are capable of.
“We didn’t lose through football but missing chances and we have to take that into the last three games.
“We have to believe we can win the last three and see what happens.
“They are disappointed as they want to win every game and they will feel hard done by.
“We still have positivity in the group we can stay up.”
