Eric Deloumeaux became the villain of the piece as his dismissal cost Aberdeen dearly at Kilmarnock.

The Frenchman retaliated to a challenge by Andy McLaren to leave his team-mates playing for 37 minutes with only 10 men.

The Rugby Park side took full advantage with goals from Gary McSwegan and Peter Canero edging the Ayrshire side closer to a UEFA Cup place next season.

The first-half produced little in the way of excitement for the fans with few incidents at either end.

Widemen James Fowler and Garry Hay provided the main threat for the home side but their final ball into the Dons box failed to create any danger.

McLaren came closest to opening the home side's account but his header from a Hay cross was saved by the recalled Peter Kjaer on the line.

McSwegan had an opportunity 15 yards from goal after more good work by Hay but the striker's volley finished high in the stand.

But the Dons found it just as difficult to break down the home defence and most of their shots on goal came from well outside the box.

Chris Clark's 30-yard drive in the ninth minute was easily held by Colin Meldrum and Laurent D'Jaffo wasted a good opportunity when he ran the ball over the line.

Just before the interval, Kjaer was on the spot to stop a McSwegan free-kick which had found a path through the Dons' defence.

Killie should have netted twice in the opening few minutes of the second period.

Clark nicked the ball off Canero's toes as he was about to shoot and then McLaren headed wide from Fowler's cross.

With the pressure increasing on the Aberdeen defence, Hay and McSwegan got in each other's way as the visitor's defence struggled to contain the home attack.

But the visitors were dealt a fatal blow when Deloumeaux was red-carded in the 53rd minute when he tangled with McLaren on the sideline.

McLaren was late with a challenge on the Frenchman but Deloumeaux decided on his own retribution when he raised his hands to the forward.

And, just five minutes later, McSwegan volleyed home the opener from the edge of the box after Aberdeen failed to clear.

Then in the 63rd minute, Canero scored for the second week in succession, putting the ball into the empty net after a great run from his own half by Fowler.

Teams

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, Innes, Shields, Dindeleux, Canero, Fowler, Mahood, McDonald, Hay, McSwegan (Boyd 77), McLaren (Di Giacomo 88).

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Murray, Dillon.

Booked: McLaren.

Goals: McSwegan 58, Canero 63.

Aberdeen: Kjaer, Hart, Anderson, Deloumeaux, McAllister, Tosh, Sheerin, Derek Young, Fabiano (Mackie 74), D'Jaffo (Rutkiewicz 56), Clark.

Subs Not Used: Preece, Tiernan, Hinds.

Sent Off: Deloumeaux (54).

Booked: Anderson.

Att: 5,769

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).