Stevie Paterson's reign as new Aberdeen manager got off to a nightmare start as the Pittodrie men were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Dunfermline.

The ex-Inverness Caledonian Thistle boss was given a warm welcome by the travelling fans as he took his place in the dug-out before the game but was given little to cheer about as the dispirited Pittodrie men never looked like giving the home side a run for their money.

Paterson clearly has his work cut out and will worry about the lack of confidence in his side especially after going behind to Stevie Crawford's first-half opener.

An own goal from Jamie McAllister and Craig Brewster's penalty compounded their misery in the second half.

However, Dunfermline boss Jimmy Calderwood will be pleased at how his side bounced back into third place after a heavy defeat at Partick Thistle last week.

Ironically, Aberdeen almost got off to a dream start after only five minutes with the first real attack of the game.

Eric Delomeaux sent Laurent D'Jaffo clear on the left and when the striker's centre came over Dunfermline defender Andrius Skerla had to dive to head over his own crossbar for a corner with midfielder Darren Young poised to nod in in from close range.

But there was little in the way of excitement after that. In a dour first half, played in the freezing cold, the home side were slightly the more enterprising and there was no real surprise when they took the lead in the 39th minute.

After slack play in the Dons defence, Pars veteran striker Craig Brewster sped free on the left and played in his strike partner Stevie Crawford.

The Scotland international took a touch before hammering a low shot past helpless Dons keeper David Preece from 16 yards - a quality finish from a player high in confidence.

After the interval the visitors came out determined to get back on level terms but it was the home side who got a second after only two minutes of the restart.

Jason Dair's corner from the left, after his original shot had been deflected past, was headed into his own goal by the hapless McAllister.

It was a shock for the visitors, who faced an uphill struggle to get back into the game, but to their credit they put Dunfermline under some pressure and midfielder Darren Young's shot was headed on by striker Darren Mackie but the ball went inches over Derek Stillie's crossbar.

But the home side raced back up the park and Scott Thomson's cross was met by Barry Nicholson but the midfielder's close-range header was straight at Preece.

And in 63 minutes things went from bad to worse for the visitors as they fell three goals behind.

The home side were awarded a penalty when Derek Young recklessly fouled Scott Thomson in the box giving referee Hugh Dallas little option but to point to the spot.

Veteran Brewster confidently stepped up to send Preece the wrong way and the Pars looked home and dry.

But moments later the Dunfermline defence went to sleep allowing Dons striker Laurent D'Jaffo to get his shot in from 10 yards which cannoned off the left-hand post and away.

But that was almost the end of Aberdeen as a potent threat. They continued to battle away but Dunfermline were firmly in control and were never going to slip up.

The game tailed off in the closing stages but by that time Paterson knew how much work he has to do at Pittodrie.

Teams

Dunfermline: Stillie, Skerla, Scott Thomson, Scott Wilson, Bullen, Nicholson (Dempsey 83), Mason, Hampshire, Dair, Crawford, Brewster (McGarty 88).

Subs Not Used: Ruitenbeek, Walker, Kilgannon.

Booked: Hampshire.

Goals: Crawford 38, McAllister 46 og, Brewster 64 pen.

Aberdeen: Preece, McNaughton, Anderson, McGuire, Tiernan, Darren Young, Derek Young, Deloumeaux (Clark 83), McAllister, Mackie (Mike 77), D'Jaffo (Michie 83).

Subs Not Used: Esson, O'Donoghue.

Att: 4,835

Ref: Hugh Dallas (Scotland).