St Johnstone 0 - 1 Aberdeen

Mackie scored for Aberdeen with five minutes of the match remaining

By Martin Conaghan

A late strike from Darren Mackie sent Aberdeen to the top of the Scottish Premier League table following a drab win against St Johnstone in Perth.

Mackie latched on to a weak Sone Aluko cross in the 86th minute and stabbed the ball past Peter Enckelman in the St Johnstone goal from just six yards out.

The Dons had a first-half goal chopped off in a match short on excitement.

Kevin Rutkiewicz passed up an early chance to open the scoring for Saints and sent a late header over the bar.

Mark McGhee's side will now lead the table, if only for 24 hours, with four top-flight matches being played on Sunday.

St Johnstone remain on one point by virtue of their draw against Hearts last week.

The opening 10 minutes failed to produce anything of note, but St Johnstone's Marcus Haber broke free down the left in the 12th minute and crossed for Sam Parkin on the six yard line, only for Zander Diamond to cut out the danger.

Diamond was called into action at the other end when he headed for goal from an Aberdeen corner, which sailed over the bar.

Cleveland Taylor swerved a tempting free-kick into the heart of the Dons defence that failed to reach a blue jersey, then Saints defender Rutkiewicz missed a sitter from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Aberdeen's Chris Maguire went on a mazy run in the 20th minute before running out of steam on the edge of the penalty area, and, as the half hour mark passed, Taylor blasted a long-range effort over the top of Mark Howard's goal.

The best chance of the half fell to Maguire deep inside the St Johnstone penalty area, but the former Killie man could only trundle his shot at Saints keeper Enckelman who gathered comfortably.

Aberdeen had the ball in the Saints net with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, but the referee ruled it out, then Josh Magennis fired a powerful shot that edged wide of Enckelman's right-hand post.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Haber sent in a close-range header that Howard guided out for a corner and the first half ended goalless.

Five minutes into the second half, Taylor flighted in a searching free-kick that Michael Duberry headed wide of the Aberdeen goal, then Murray Davidson nodded over from six yards out.

Some good build-up play from Aberdeen ended with Peter Pawlett sending a right-footed shot wide of the mark, then Maguire appeared to be denied a penalty when Duberry bundled him off the ball inside the St Johnstone penalty area.

Parkin could have opened the scoring for St Johnstone in the 67th minute when he sent a looping header narrowly over the Dons bar and Hartley struck a long-range free-kick straight at the Saints wall in the 70th minute.

A lapse in concentration by Diamond almost cost Aberdeen a goal, but Jerel Ifil pounced to clear the danger as Duberry looked set to strike.

With five minutes of the match remaining, the deadlock was finally broken when Mackie stabbed a foot at the ball from six yards out after Aluko trickled a ball across from the left-hand side.

Rutkiewicz leapt above the Aberdeen defence in the final minute of added-on time, but headed over the bar.

Live text and stats

Saturday, 21 August 2010

Scottish Premier

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
St Johnstone	0-1	Aberdeen	FT
(HT 0-0)
		Mackie 86

St Johnstone

01 Enckelman
05 Rutkiewicz
06 Duberry
19 Maybury
04 Morris yellow card
07 Millar
10 Craig (Grainger 35 yellow card)
11 Taylor (Dobie 72)
20 Davidson
09 Parkin
27 Haber (Samuel 72)

Substitutes

15 Smith,
03 Grainger,
17 Gartland,
37 Caddis,
32 May,
18 Dobie,
21 Samuel

Aberdeen

21 Howard
02 McArdle
05 Diamond
06 Considine yellow card
16 Ifil
04 Folly yellow card
08 Hartley yellow card
11 Aluko
15 Pawlett (Fyvie 75)
07 Maguire (Mackie 68)
20 Magennis (Vernon 68)

Substitutes

01 Langfield,
03 Foster,
14 Young,
17 Fyvie,
09 Vernon,
10 Mackie,
23 Megginson

Ref: McLeanAtt: 6,523

ST JOHNSTONE

ABERDEEN

Possession

St Johnstone 56%
Aberdeen 44%

Attempts on target

St Johnstone 1
Aberdeen 3

Attempts off target

St Johnstone 2
Aberdeen 4

Corners

St Johnstone 5
Aberdeen 2

Fouls

St Johnstone 11
Aberdeen 11

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+3:24 The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00+2:34 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
90:00+1:59 Header by Kevin Rutkiewicz (St Johnstone) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
90:00+1:31 Outswinging corner taken by Daniel Grainger from the left by-line.
88:41 Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) from right wing, passed.
88:41 Booking Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) booked for unsporting behaviour.
88:41 Foul by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) on Darren Mackie (Aberdeen).
88:13 Foul by Scott Vernon (Aberdeen) on Michael Duberry (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
87:31 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) to centre, save (caught) by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
87:26 Cross by Collin Samuel (St Johnstone), clearance by Jerel Ifil (Aberdeen).
87:15 Jerel Ifil gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Murray Davidson. Direct free kick taken by Jody Morris.
84:58 Assist (cross) by Sone Aluko (Aberdeen) from left wing.
84:58 GOAL - Darren Mackie:St Johnstone 0 - 1 Aberdeen goal by Darren Mackie (Aberdeen) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).St Johnstone 0-1 Aberdeen.
84:58 Cross by Sone Aluko (Aberdeen),
84:35 Goal kick taken long by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
84:20 Sone Aluko takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar.
82:54 Direct free kick taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
82:54 Booking Yoann Folly (Aberdeen) booked for unsporting behaviour.
82:54 Foul by Yoann Folly (Aberdeen) on Collin Samuel (St Johnstone).
82:29 Rory McArdle crosses the ball, Daniel Grainger manages to make a clearance.
82:12 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
82:00 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
80:38 Goal kick taken long by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
79:43 Darren Mackie fouled by Daniel Grainger, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Sone Aluko from right wing.
78:58 Cross by Yoann Folly (Aberdeen), save (caught) by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
78:47 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
78:17 Foul by Collin Samuel (St Johnstone) on Rory McArdle (Aberdeen). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mark Howard (Aberdeen) from own half, resulting in open play.
76:50 Shot by Fraser Fyvie (Aberdeen) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), blocked by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone).
76:34 Attacking throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
75:49 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
75:00 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
74:21 Substitution Fraser Fyvie is brought on as a substitute for Peter Pawlett.
72:06 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sam Parkin by Rory McArdle. Free kick crossed by Daniel Grainger, Yoann Folly makes a clearance.
71:59 Defending throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
71:05 Substitution Scott Dobie comes on in place of Cleveland Taylor.
71:05 Substitution Marcus Haber goes off and Collin Samuel comes on.
70:50 The ball is delivered by Yoann Folly.
70:17 Goal kick taken long by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
69:32 Corner taken by Paul Hartley from the right by-line, Header on goal by Rory McArdle from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
69:09 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
68:17 Foul by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone) on Scott Vernon (Aberdeen). Free kick taken right-footed by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) from right channel (20 yards), hit wall.
66:56 Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mark Howard (Aberdeen) from own half, resulting in open play.
66:56 Substitution Aberdeen substitution: Josh Magennis replaced by Scott Vernon (tactical).
66:56 Substitution Aberdeen substitution: Chris Maguire replaced by Darren Mackie (tactical).
66:56 Foul by Cleveland Taylor (St Johnstone) on Jerel Ifil (Aberdeen).
66:13 Corner taken by Daniel Grainger.
66:05 The ball is crossed by Jody Morris, Zander Diamond makes a clearance.
65:04 Michael Duberry delivers the ball, Sam Parkin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rory McArdle. Mark Howard takes the free kick.
64:12 Direct free kick taken right-footed by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
64:12 Booking Andrew Considine (Aberdeen) booked for unsporting behaviour.
64:12 Foul by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen) on Jody Morris (St Johnstone).
63:44 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
61:14 Direct free kick taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
61:14 Booking Jody Morris (St Johnstone) booked for dissent.
61:14 Booking Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) booked for unsporting behaviour.
61:14 Foul by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) on Murray Davidson (St Johnstone).
60:52 Shot by Sam Parkin (St Johnstone) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
60:03 Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Millar on Sone Aluko. Paul Hartley takes the free kick.
59:03 Sam Parkin is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Mark Howard.
58:06 Attacking throw-in by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone).
57:12 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) to centre, clearance by Michael Duberry (St Johnstone).
56:48 Goal kick taken long by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
55:54 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
55:11 Peter Pawlett has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.
53:42 Michael Duberry sends in a cross, Jerel Ifil manages to make a clearance.
53:01 The ball is swung over by Chris Millar, Jerel Ifil makes a clearance.
52:39 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
52:03 Goal kick taken long by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
51:51 Header by Murray Davidson (St Johnstone) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
51:36 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
51:05 Paul Hartley sends in a cross, save made by Peter Enckelman.
50:52 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
49:26 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Millar by Paul Hartley. Free kick crossed by Cleveland Taylor, Michael Duberry concedes a free kick for a foul on Andrew Considine. Mark Howard takes the free kick.
49:09 Attacking throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
48:56 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
46:44 Defending throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
46:12 Sam Parkin is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Mark Howard.
45:45 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
45:03 Attacking throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.
Half Time
45:00+1:24 The first half comes to an end.
45:00+1:04 Corner taken right-footed by Cleveland Taylor from the left by-line, Paul Hartley makes a clearance.
45:00+0:52 Marcus Haber takes a shot. Save by Mark Howard.
44:43 Foul by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen) on Marcus Haber (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
43:45 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
43:09 Cross by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone), save (caught) by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
42:20 Foul by Marcus Haber (St Johnstone) on Paul Hartley (Aberdeen). Free kick crossed left-footed by Sone Aluko (Aberdeen) from right wing, save (caught) by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
42:05 Cross by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen), clearance by Jody Morris (St Johnstone).
41:49 Foul by Kevin Rutkiewicz on Josh Magennis, free kick awarded. Paul Hartley takes the free kick.
41:24 Unfair challenge on Peter Pawlett by Jody Morris results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Mark Howard.
40:57 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone).
40:02 Foul by Sam Parkin (St Johnstone) on Jerel Ifil (Aberdeen). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mark Howard (Aberdeen) from own half, resulting in open play.
38:25 Foul by Yoann Folly (Aberdeen) on Chris Millar (St Johnstone). Free kick crossed left-footed by Daniel Grainger (St Johnstone) from right channel, save (caught) by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
37:40 Attacking throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
35:55 Josh Magennis produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
35:40 Cross by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen), clearance by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
34:13 Free kick crossed right-footed by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) from right wing, foul by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen) on Michael Duberry (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
34:13 Substitution St Johnstone substitution: Liam Craig replaced by Daniel Grainger (injury).
34:13 Foul by Cleveland Taylor (St Johnstone) on Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen).
32:56 Shot by Chris Maguire (Aberdeen) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
32:50 Centre by Chris Maguire, clearance by Michael Duberry.
31:45 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
31:13 Effort on goal by Cleveland Taylor from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
29:19 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) to centre, resulting in open play.
29:11 Centre by Chris Maguire, clearance by Kevin Rutkiewicz.
28:17 Attacking throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
27:26 Goal kick taken long by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone).
26:12 Sam Parkin challenges Jerel Ifil unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Yoann Folly.
25:56 Defending throw-in by Liam Craig (St Johnstone).
25:29 The ball is crossed by Rory McArdle.
25:12 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
24:23 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
24:12 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
22:53 Attacking throw-in by Sone Aluko (Aberdeen).
22:32 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
22:02 The ball is sent over by Cleveland Taylor, Sone Aluko manages to make a clearance.
21:12 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
20:53 Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (St Johnstone).
20:03 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
19:36 Defending throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
18:37 The ball is delivered by Cleveland Taylor, clearance made by Zander Diamond.
18:06 Attacking throw-in by Liam Craig (St Johnstone).
17:12 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
16:47 Goal kick taken long by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
16:31 Shot from close in by Kevin Rutkiewicz misses to the left of the goal.
16:12 The ball is sent over by Liam Craig.
15:48 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Liam Craig.
15:35 Liam Craig sends in a cross, clearance by Andrew Considine.
14:30 Paul Hartley challenges Chris Millar unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Cleveland Taylor, clearance made by Rory McArdle.
13:42 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Paul Hartley (Aberdeen) to centre, header by Zander Diamond (Aberdeen) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Correction - 12:47 Chris Millar challenges Paul Hartley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Sone Aluko.
12:47 Chris Millar concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul Hartley. Sone Aluko delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel,
11:53 Cross by Marcus Haber (St Johnstone), resulting in open play.
10:36 Defending throw-in by Jerel Ifil (Aberdeen).
10:03 Goal kick taken long by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
9:25 Foul by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen) on Marcus Haber (St Johnstone). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Liam Craig (St Johnstone) from left wing, resulting in open play.
8:40 Defending throw-in by Liam Craig (St Johnstone).
6:59 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Cleveland Taylor by Andrew Considine. Free kick crossed right-footed by Kevin Rutkiewicz, save by Mark Howard.
6:38 Attacking throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
5:11 Josh Magennis (Aberdeen) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Peter Enckelman (St Johnstone) from own half, resulting in open play.
4:11 Defending throw-in by Liam Craig (St Johnstone).
3:50 Attacking throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
3:38 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
3:23 Defending throw-in by Rory McArdle (Aberdeen).
3:01 Marcus Haber is adjudged to have handled the ball. Mark Howard takes the free kick.
2:35 Alan Maybury fouled by Josh Magennis, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Duberry restarts play with the free kick.
2:17 Defending throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
1:31 Goal kick taken long by Mark Howard (Aberdeen).
0:33 Defending throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
0:10 Defending throw-in by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
0:00 The game begins.

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