Summary

  • St Johnstone now a point adrift at bottom of Premiership, Aberdeen up to eighth

  • Hendry nets early opener for visitors; Brown piledriver tipped on to bar as Dons seek quick response

  • Saints keeper Clark off injured in first half; Ferguson levels from spot after break following Booth challenge on Ramsay

  • Manager Stephen Glass left Aberdeen on Sunday, Barry Robson in interim charge

Live Reporting

Andrew Southwick

  1. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Vicente Besuijen is on the ball early, pinging a pass across to Matty Kennedy, who sends it back into a crowded area and it's easily cleared.

    Then the Dutchman plays a through ball for Jonny Hayes but it just has too much pace on it for the Irishman.

    Perhaps, a little more creativity coming from Aberdeen in this half?

  2. 'Barron looks full of confidence'

    HT: Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Derek Lilley
    Former St Johnstone forward

    Connor Barron is looking comfortable in the middle of the park. He doesn't look phased at all, he's picking up good space and isn't shy of a shot. I'm sure Barry Robson will be giving him a lot of confidence too if he knows him well through the youth set-up. He's definitely been a shining start tonight.

    Aberdeen's Connor Barron holds off St Johnstone's Callum BoothSNS

    Aberdeen's Connor Barron holds off St Johnstone's Callum Booth

  3. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Aberdeen make a half-time change.

    Dutch winger Vicenter Besuijen is on, with Declan Gallagher departing. Presumably that means Scott Brown will drop into defence.

    And with that, we're back underway for the second half.

  4. HT: Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    A big second half coming up.

    At the moment, St Johnstone are about to lift themselves off the bottom of the table, leapfrogging Dundee.

    But not only that, Aberdeen are just eight points above Dundee, and would be seven ahead of the play-off spot which would be occupied by St Johnstone. Would they then be in a relegation fight?

    They have that to worry about as well as their hopes of reaching the top six and also pushing for a European qualification place taking a serious hit.

  5. St Johnstone's industrious forwards

    Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    I didn't expect St Johnstone to be as open, with the way Callum Davidson has basically three up top — who are all working very hard.

  6. Get Involved: Who should be Aberdeen's next manager?

    HT: Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    We asked before the match who should be the next Dons boss, and here are some of the responses on Twitter.

    AFCHidden: Time for Aberdeen to be brave and not appoint the same recycled names for the new manager. Goodwin, Ross, Lennon etc are not exciting or inspiring.

    Westcoastsheep: If the club want a manager with experience of the SPFL then for me it has to be Goodwin. If they want a foreign manager with fresh ideas then Wim Jonk would need to be in the conversation for me. Knutsen is a fantasy. No chance that happens even if we did chance our arm

    Steven, not Steve: Aberdeen should avoid Goodwin, Ross, Lambert & Lennon. Push the boat out and go tell Billy Reid to name his price.

    AlistairCampbell: Barry Robson

    LindaPirie5: Out of the list you made on your page for potential new AFC managers, I would pick Derek Adams. I take it your suggestion of Barry Ferguson was a wind-up? I'm not taking the bait..

    Yes, on this occasion, the Barry Ferguson suggestion wasn't entirely serious. Although now I'm imagining a Ferguson-Brown double act...

  7. HALF-TIME Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Callum Hendry's early goal separates the two sides at the break.

    And St Johnstone have continued to look lively with Glenn Middleton in particular having a good night, although they haven't really tested Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis since.

    And his opposite number Zander Clark has had to limp off early, which is a blow to the visitors because he has made two fine saves to tip over shots from Scott Brown and Jonny Hayes.

    That's as close as managerless Aberdeen have come to an equaliser, with St Johnstone looking good value for their lead.

    St Johnstone's Callum Hendry celebrates making it 1-0 with Callum BoothSNS

    St Johnstone's Callum Hendry celebrates making it 1-0 with Callum Booth

  8. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    The last kick of the half is from Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson, who thumps a shot at goal to test goalkeeper Elliot Parish, but the Saints man gets behind it despite it taking a slight knick on the way.

  9. 'Story of Saints season'

    Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Derek Lilley
    Former St Johnstone forward

    That's the story of St Johnstone's season so far in terms of injuries. Nothing goes your way when you're down that end of the table. This is where your whole squad comes into play.

    Zander Clark was subbed off due to an injurySNS

    Zander Clark was subbed off due to an injury

  10. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Good build up again by St Johnstone and Aberdeen defender Declan Gallagher has to get his head to the ball.

    St Johnstone have been impressive tonight in the wide areas.

  11. Middleton key to Saints counter

    Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Derek Lilley
    Former St Johnstone forward

    Aberdeen will be disappointed with their set-pieces so far, St Johnstone have been able to turn the ball over quickly after most of them. Glenn Middleton is a great out-ball for them.

  12. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    It looks like St Johnstone Zander Clark has hurt himself again attempting to save Connor Barron's shot, and this time he will have to depart the action early with Elliot Parish poised and ready to come on.

  13. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    One bright spark for Aberdeen tonight has been 19-year-old Connor Barron on his first start.

    He collects Jonny Hayes pass, looks up, and curls a shot just wide.

  14. 'Gaps appearing in Aberdeen defence'

    Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    Aberdeen are pretty quick to hit St Johnstone on the break, so there are gaps appearing whenever they try that quick counter

  15. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Another good save from St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.

    This time he gets down low to his left to push away Lewis Ferguson's deflected effort.

  16. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    St Johnstone burst to life against.

    Glenn Middleton, who has had a very good first 45 minutes, races down the right, plays a good ball across the six-yard box, and Dons defender David Bates does well to knock it out for a corner.

  17. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Substitute goalkeeper Elliot Parish has put his shirt on and began warming up, but Zander Clark - for now at least - is going to continue for St Johnstone.

  18. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    There's a problem for St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.

    He collects a harmless long ball, but then begins limping and throws the ball out of play so he can get treatment.

    This will be worrying moments for Saints boss Callum Davidson. Clark has already made two fine saves in this match.

  19. Both sides going for it

    Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    It's been a good game so far, hasn't it? We don't normally get this sort of entertaining, exciting and forward-thinking play from these two teams.

    St Johnstone's Callum Hendry celebrates making it 1-0SNS

    St Johnstone's Callum Hendry celebrates making it 1-0

  20. Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone

    There's a bit of frustration coming down from the Pittodrie stands as the fans watch their side struggle again.

    Jack Mackenzie gets into a shooting position but his shot is well wide.