Aberdeen recorded a welcome 2-1 win over an unlucky St Johnstone in an entertaining tussle at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen took the lead after 15 minutes with a fine counter-attacking move expertly finished by Sone Aluko. Pawlett showed excellent pace and strength to shrug off Danny Grainger before finding Aluko who dribbled past two defenders before slotting the ball past Graeme Smith.

Goalscorer Aluko, who took a knock in the first half, was replaced at half-time by Darren Mackie with the Saints also making a change with Deuchar being introduced at the expense of the ineffective Johansson.

The Aberdeen substitute almost made an immediate impact when he earned a yard of space in the box with a terrific piece of skill before smashing a shot from a tight angle off the post.

St Johnstone's mounting pressure paid off when they got back on level terms with only 14 minutes to go. Jamie Langfield dropped a hanging cross from David Mackay under pressure from Deuchar and Liam Craig pounced on the loose ball to roll the ball into the unguarded net. The Aberdeen goalkeeper was convinced he had been fouled in the lead up to the goal and was booked for his protestations.

However the Dons had an opportunity to regain the lead when Miller was bundled over in the box by Grainger after 83 minutes and the Dons striker kept his composure to drill the spot-kick home himself.