Kilmarnock substitute Gary McCutcheon was only on the field for nine minutes
but scored two late goals to keep Kilmarnock's European dream alive.
Aberdeen, desperate for points to drag themselves clear of the relegation
zone, got off to the perfect start.
Eoin Jess began the move on the left and when his cross came into the box
Robbie Winters was first to react to shoot the ball past Gordon Marshall and
give his side a second-minute lead.
That gave the Dons an early lift and they gave the home defence a few anxious
moments.
But soon Killie were level with a clever goal from Alan Mahood. The midfielder
spotted Derek Stillie off his line and lobbed the keeper from 22 yards.
Bolstered by the goal Killie began to heap pressure on the Aberdeen defence.
And it was no surprise when the Ayrshire side moved into the lead in 19
minutes with a rare goal from Gus MacPherson.
Slack marking in the Dons defence allowed Ian Durrant to pick out MacPherson
at the edge of the box and the defender wasted little time before despatching
the ball into the net for his first goal of the season.
However, the Dons were ever dangerous on the break and it took a good save
from Marshall in 31 minutes to deny Andy Dow.
In 41 minutes team-mate Jim Hamilton also came close but his low shot flew
just wide of Marshall's right-hand post.
In the final minute of the first half, Killie had what looked a solid penalty
appeal turned down when Derek Whyte appeared to handle in the box but referee
John Rowbotham waved play on.
It did not take the Dons long to get back on level terms after the restart
with Jim Hamilton netting in 52 minutes.
The former Hearts player was first to react when Marshall could only parry a
Jess shot, driving the ball low into the net for his first goal for Aberdeen.
Killie responded with a good running shot by John Henry, Stillie diving to his
right to turn the ball away for a corner.
Killie brought on all three substitutes towards the end of the match, Ally
McCoist replacing the injured Gary Holt and youngsters Alex Burke and McCutcheon
replacing Paul Wright and Ian Durrant.
And it proved to be a wise move by Killie manager Bobby Williamson, for in the
86th minute, McCutcheon converted McCoist's cross to put his side ahead.
And in the final minute McCutcheon struck again when he beat the Aberdeen
defence to the ball 40 yards from goal and struck the ball into an empty net.
Teams
Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Innes, Lauchlan, Kerr, Henry,
Holt (McCoist 58), Durrant (Burke 81), Mahood, Wright (McCutcheon 81), Mitchell.
Subs Not Used: Reilly, Meldrum.
Goals: Mahood 9, MacPherson 19, McCutcheon 86, 90.
Aberdeen: Stillie, Perry, Smith, Whyte, Dow, Winters,
Mayer (Wyness 72), Bernard, Young, Jess, Hamilton.
Subs Not Used: Leighton, Pepper, Buchan, Hart.
Booked: Bernard.
Goals: Winters 2, Hamilton 52.
Att: 9,048.
Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).
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