Ryan Astley crashed in a 90th-minute winner for Dundee against Aberdeen to take them above their visitors to an eighth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership.

Steven Pressley's side knew they had to win to jump above Aberdeen and an inspired second-half comeback was completed when Astley headed in Fin Robertson's corner.

Joe Westley had clipped in the equaliser when Charlie Reilly's shot was saved, which was the perfect response after Liam Morrison and Toyosi Olusanya netted for Aberdeen after Drey Wright's early opener for Dundee.

Wright bundled in after only 10 minutes following a superb Cameron Congreve cross to give Dundee the perfect start.

But their failure to pick up Morrison when Lyall Cameron delivered an Aberdeen corner was costly when the centre-back headed in his first for the Dons.

In first-half stoppage time Cameron's deflected effort was diverted into the net by Olusanya as Aberdeen turned a lively game in their favour.

But Dundee were the more aggressive and forward-thinking side after the break, and Congreve was at the heart of their resurgence.

His flick freed Reilly to run into the box and force a save from Aberdeen's debutant goalkeeper Nick Suman, and Westley was positioned to finish into an empty net.

Dundee targeted Aberdeen's Achilles heel - defending crosses - in the final quarter and eventually a corner got them their reward.

Astley was not picked up at the back post and planted his header into the net to wrap up the win and eighth spot for Dundee, while a bleak campaign for Aberdeen ends with ninth place.

A comeback win to end the season was a fitting end for the comeback manager of the season.

Pressley arrived last summer to anger and ire from fans, before professing: "If you're looking for a manager that's got a history of winning titles, winning trophies, then I'm not your man."

By the end he was taking a lap of acclaim on the Dens Park pitch.

His self-depreciating style, and more importantly eye for a player and coaching, have come to the fore across the course of the season to change minds at Dundee.

He delivered a first home win over Celtic for 37 years, a point at Ibrox, a first league victory at Pittodrie for 22 years, plus a derby success at Tannadice.

Most importantly Dundee were safe from relegation with two games to spare.

Players like Congreve, captain Ethan Hamilton, and winger Tony Yogane have been some of the best to watch in the league. Pressley can take a bow at a solid year's work.

However, this time a year ago Tony Docherty was sacked by Dundee's famously demanding owners for failing to back up a top-six finish. They ended this campaign two places higher and one point better off.

More than just survival will be expected next season.

This end to Aberdeen's season was just as fitting. A late collapse by conceding from a set-piece, leading to a 20th league game lost. It is their most defeats in a campaign since 2011.

The only bright spot this term has been the unwavering backing of the Aberdeen fans, who sold out another away end at Dens Park despite being served up dirge all season.

They have had to watch 37 different players under three different managers, who have resembled a cast of fleeting and detached characters rather than a coherent football team to be proud of every week.

The belated appointment of Stephen Robinson in March has at least saved Aberdeen from a first-ever relegation, as the former St Mirren boss did enough to drag them through an unbeaten run of four games through April and early May.

If a third bottom-six finish in five years is not a massive wake-up call to every single person at the club then little else will be.

Already the pressure is on to start next season strongly, or the supporters who continue to turn out home and away will head for the exits.

Dundee manager Steven Pressley: "In typical fashion the players responded how they have all season to adversity by coming back to win the game.

"Scoring a late goal, with the player that scored it, and the team as well, typified our season.

"I'm really proud of the group. To finish eighth in a hugely challenging season is a decent achievement. We want to keep improving but it's given us a platform to continue to grow."

Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson: "Just put the rest of the season in the last five minutes. When we needed to be strong and defend, be organised and speak. We didn't do it. It's not a surprise to me.

"I know the amount of work that needs done here. The last five minutes when you need to show character, nerve, and strength we don't do. It's a micorcosm of the season in those five minutes."