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By Andy Campbell
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 Mulgrew came close to opening the scoring with a free-kick
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Aberdeen held visitors Rangers to a scoreless draw at Pittodrie in the Scottish Premier League.
Charlie Mulgrew came close for the home side early on with a free-kick and Jamie Langfield needed to save a fierce drive by Rangers' Lee McCulloch.
Langfield picked up a head knock after the interval and had to be replaced by Bertrand Bossu before both sides claimed unsuccessfully for penalties.
Nacho Novo hit the post late on as Rangers were unable to force a winner.
The result gives SPL leaders Celtic the chance to stretch their advantage over Rangers to four points when they play Hibernian later on Saturday.
The visitors, who left top scorer Kris Boyd on the bench and included McCulloch in a defensive midfield role, threatened early on as winger John Fleck fired a shot over Langfield's goal.
At the other end, McCulloch conceded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Mulgrew curled in a powerful shot which Allan McGregor palmed out for a corner.
Darren Mackie was next to test the Rangers goal, McGregor holding the striker's dipping volley.
Rangers captain Barry Ferguson saw his left-foot shot deflected wide before Fleck had another attempt off-target.
Gary McDonald made a late run into the box to meet Mackie's lofted centre but headed over.
McCulloch's long-range effort after 29 minutes was beaten out by Langfield and Kenny Miller was unable to convert the rebound, but the striker had already been flagged offside.
Kenny Miller headed over from Broadfoot's cross and Madjid Bougherra's shot from Fleck's free-kick was deflected past for a corner as Rangers continued to press.
Pedro Mendes' low shot was smothered by Langfield at his near post and Mulgrew's second free-kick attempt was claimed comfortably by McGregor as the first-half drew to a close.
 Ferguson and Zander Diamond have an angry exchange of words
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Langfield was injured at the start of the second half as he tried to prevent Kenny Miller reaching Kirk Broadfoot's low cross and was promptly replaced by Bossu.
Aberdeen claimed for a penalty after Stuart Duff went down in the penalty box but referee Callum Murray waved play on.
Richard Foster made an important block as Fleck tired to get on the end of a cross by Kenny Miller, who was soon replaced by Boyd.
Referee Murray denied another penalty appeal when Rangers claimed Mackie had handled in the area.
McCulloch was booked for persistent fouling moments before McDonald received a yellow card for intentional handball.
Boyd was unable to connect with Ferguson's teasing cross as the visitors' struggle to threaten the Dons goal continued.
Ferguson and McCulloch could not hit the target from the edge of the area.
With six minutes remaining, Fleck's substitute Novo chested the ball down at the back post and drove against the frame of the goal.
Papac then crossed for Boyd to head towards goal but Scott Severin's deflection ushered the ball into Bossu's arms.
In a rare foray forward, Aberdeen won a free-kick near the half-way line and Mulgrew's excellent inswinging cross was headed narrowly wide by Mackie.
Bougherra pressed forward to aid the Rangers attack but his hopeful shot sailed over the bar in injury time.
Aberdeen: Langfield (Bossu 52), Foster, Severin, Diamond, Mulgrew, Mackie, McDonald, Kerr, Aluko (Maguire 81), Duff (Vidal 64), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Wright, De Visscher, Mair, Considine.
Booked: McDonald.
Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Ferguson, Mendes, McCulloch, Fleck (Novo 77), Miller (Boyd 63).
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Dailly, Whittaker, Niguez, Ness.
Booked: McCulloch.
Att: 20,441
Ref: C Murray
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Aberdeen's Zander Diamond 7.50 (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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