Aberdeen's quest to reach the UEFA Cup received a boost courtesy of a comfortable Bank of Scotland Premier League victory over Kilmarnock, who succeeded only in shooting themselves in the foot at Pittodrie.

Momo Sylla's foul on Chris Clark was punished by Barry Nicholson from the penalty spot in the seventh minute and, early in the second half, Lee Miller scored his first goal for Aberdeen since November 25.

The win was completed with a bizarre goal in the 61st minute, when Killie goalkeeper Alan Combe's attempted throw out hit the back of Darren Mackie's head and amazingly found its way into the net.

Aberdeen got off to the perfect start, when a flowing move saw Miller flick a header into the path of Mackie, who in turn shifted the ball to Clark on the left wing.

The Dons midfielder moved into the penalty area, only to be fouled by Sylla and Nicholson slotted the resultant spot-kick low into the bottom right-hand corner of Combe's goal.

Shortly afterwards, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies was adamant Russell Anderson should have been punished for a foul on Colin Nish just outside Aberdeen's 18-yard-box, but it was questionable whether there was any serious contact made between the two players.

Nicholson's strike may have given the hosts an early advantage, but it also served to turn this game into an extremely scrappy affair, where both teams squandered possession far too easily.

Nish eventually registered Kilmarnock's first shot on target in the 37th minute, but his powerful drive was easily gathered by Jamie Langfield.

However, Aberdeen took control as the half progressed and when Nicholson's cross reached Miller six minutes before the break, the Dons striker was extremely unfortunate to see Combe push his header on to the post, before Gordon Greer hacked the ball away.

One minute later, a Nicholson corner was met with a header from Anderson.

Had it not been for Gary Locke knocking the ball off Kilmarnock's line, Aberdeen would have taken a two-goal lead into the break.

It took only four minutes for Aberdeen to double their advantage after the restart though, as Richard Foster's cross from the left wing travelled all the way to Jamie Smith at the back post.

When the winger knocked a pass across the six yard box, Miller was on hand to smash the ball high into the Kilmarnock goal.

The visitors had replaced Sylla with Willie Gibson for the start of the second half and, thanks to a strong surge by the substitute, they almost pulled one back in the 53rd minute.

Gibson's low cross was only flicked up into the air by the right arm of Langfield, but when the ball broke to Nish the striker aimlessly volleyed over the bar.

The game was over as a contest not long after though, as absolutely catastrophic mistake from Combe gifted Aberdeen a third goal.

The Killie keeper did well to gather a drive from Nicholson but, in attempting a quick throw out, succeeded only in striking the back of Mackie's head with the ball, which bounced directly into the net.

Aberdeen came close to scoring a fourth goal with 10 minutes remaining, when Zander Diamond's header from Nicholson's cross was pushed away by Combe - who went someway towards redeeming himself from his shocking error.

Kilmarnock retaliated with a header from Steven Naismith, which was parried by Langfield.

But, try as they might, the side from Rugby Park were all out of luck in this game.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, Hart, Anderson, Diamond,Foster (Considine 78), Clark, Nicholson, Severin,Jamie Smith (Lovell 64), Miller (Maguire 85), Mackie.

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Brewster.

Goals: Nicholson 7 pen, Miller 49, Mackie 62.

Kilmarnock Combe, Sylla (Gibson 46), Greer, Frazer Wright,Grant Murray, Fowler, Locke (Di Giacomo 65), Leven, Naismith,Wales, Nish (Koudou 66).

Subs Not Used: Smith, O'Leary, Hamill, Quinn.

Att: 10,046

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).