Dunfermline Lee Bullen gave the Pars a deserved home win as Aberdeen's poor away form continued.

Bullen's first-half strike was enough to see off the dismal Dons, who barely troubled the Dunfermline goal.

But Pars manager Jimmy Calderwood will be equally delighted that his side have now gone 388 minutes without conceding a goal.

After sitting out Boxing Day when snow ruled out their clash with Dundee, Aberdeen were hoping to improve their indifferent away form which had seen them win just once on their travels this season.

Dunfermline suffered an early scare as Hicham Zerouali played a clever one-two with Cato Guntveit over the top of the defence, but the linesman flagged while the Norwegian was in the act of shooting.

Moments later, the Pars sprung the offside trap again - this time Robbie Winters was just a shoulder ahead of Andrius Skerla.

But it was a case of third time lucky for the Dons with Zerouali picking up a good pass from Guntveit, timing his run to perfection, but a good save from Marco Ruitenbeek saved his side.

Dunfermline came back into the game with a run of good possession but could not capitalise.

Gary Mason tried his luck from 20 yards but the path to goal was blocked by Thomas Solberg.

A free-kick on the left side of the field almost provided an unlikely lead with Barry Nicholson's cross just missing Stewart Petrie, although Solberg's clearing header came within a yard of an own goal.

But the Pars took an unlikely lead in the 22nd minute with a goal out of the blue.

Scott Thomson's hopeful punt out of defence caught Phil McGuire totally off guard and Bullen found himself in the clear and a neat side-foot shot easily beat Peter Kjaer.

Things almost got ugly straight after the re-start as Zerouali was booked for diving after an innocent challenge from Gus MacPherson.

Zerouali could count himself lucky to stay on the pitch after an apparent attempt to man-handle the referee.

The visitors blew a golden chance to get back level on the half-hour, with Darren Mackie fouled on the edge of the box.

Winters took the kick straight away, giving Darren Young a free shot on goal, but he scooped the ball into the stand.

Tempers flared again as Zerouali was fouled deep in the Dunfermline half, and Nicholson was booked for the tackle.

However a Pars player was awaiting treatment at the other end and the crowd were furious that Aberdeen took advantage while the home side had stopped play.

Aberdeen piled on the pressure as the clock ticked towards half-time but Dunfermline were far more effective on the break.

Aberdeen almost scored just after the restart when a scramble in the box left the ball at Solberg's feet. The defender unleashed a rocket shot which nearly broke the post but fell back into play.

Dons youngster Jamie McAllister gifted a chance to the home side, making a total hash of his attempted clearance, but Bullen shot well over the bar.

Aberdeen were again all at sea with McGuire and Russell Anderson getting in each other's way but Stevie Crawford was unable to get a foot on the loose ball.

Winters came nearest to an equaliser with a free-kick on 66 minutes.

The curling shot was going nowhere fast but took a deflection off the wall and Ruitenbeek adjusted well to make the save.

Substitute Ben Thornley replaced Mackie and almost made an immediate impact on the game, nearly setting up Winters in the box.

The former Man United player dribbled past two men before firing in a low cross which the Pars defence nearly turned into their own net.

But the home side were not sitting back either and Crawford held off the attentions of McGuire before laying off to Mason but his shot was easily blocked by Kjaer.

A minute later Petrie's goal-bound shot was nearly converted by McGuire as he got in his own keeper's way, but the ball spun onto the roof of the net.

Aberdeen took off Zerouali for Derek Young and new man Sean Kilgannon made his home debut, replacing Chris McGroarty.

Aberdeen threw Solberg into attack to try and take something from the series of long balls and crosses aimed at the Pars penalty box.

But the gamble did not pay off and Crawford's wayward blast was the last action of a hard-fought match.

Teams

Dunfermline: Ruitenbeek, MacPherson (Doesburg 83), McGroarty (Kilgannon 80), Skerla, Scott Thomson, Mason, Nicholson, Bullen, Crawford, Petrie, Panopoulos (Skinner 67).

Subs Not Used: Scott Y Thomson, Dair.

Booked: Mason.

Goals: Bullen 22.

Aberdeen: Kjaer, Anderson, McAllister, McGuire, Solberg, Guntveit, Bisconti, Darren Young, Winters, Mackie (Thornley 75), Zerouali (Derek Young 81).

Subs Not Used: Esson, Lilley, Tiernan.

Booked: Zerouali.

Att: 7,774

Ref: K Toner (Scotland).