Aberdeen edged to a 2-1 win at Dundee thanks to goals either side of the hour mark at Dens Park.
With nine minutes gone Dundee were denied the opener twice in 60 seconds when David Preece made a brilliant save to deny Jonay Santos Hernandez and seconds later did well to save a close-range header from Lee Mair.
Phil McGuire blazed a shot high over the crossbar for the visitors with a quarter of an hour played and midway through the first half Steve Lovell fired past the post after been sent clean through by Fabian Caballero.
With 31 minutes played Julian Speroni made a great save high to his left to deny Laurent D'Jaffo. The home were then reduced to ten men when in the final minute of the first half. Lee Wilkie was yellow carded for a foul and then moments later was shown a second yellow and a red for a scuffle with Dons substitute Scott Michie.
Aberdeen took the lead on 50 minutes when Phil McGuire headed Eric DeloumeauxÂ’s corner past Speroni from six yards.
With 64 minutes played Aberdeen went 2-0 up when Dundee captain Barry Smith unluckily turned Darren Mackie's cross past his own keeper from close range.
Moments later Nacho Novo's effort was well blocked by Preece. With ten minutes left Hernandez curled his 20-yard free-kick inches over the crossbar.
With three minutes to go Dundee scored what turned out to be only a consolation when Steve Milne fired home from close range.
There was more drama in time added on when Hernandez was shown a straight red card for a punch at Leon Mike at the back post, before Speroni saved the resulting penalty kick from McGuire.