Aberdeen put their Scottish Cup third round exit at the hands of Dundee United behind them by recording their third home league victory in a row.

With only Premier League survival to play for, this was a 'must win' match for Alex Miller's troops.

And the Dons duly obliged thanks to goal from Eoin Jess and Gary Smith - even though Miller will be unhappy that his side conceded so much possession in the second half.

In the first period the visitors hardly caught sight of goal as Aberdeen mounted attack after attack with Eoin Jess proving to be a real handful for Dunfermline.

And it was man of the match Jess, pushing for a place in Scotland's World Cup squad, who put the Dons in front after only six minutes.

He collected the ball 20 yards out before firing in a shot which Dunfermline keeper Ian Westwater could only help into the net.

Jess later had a shot brilliantly touched round the post by Westwater, and the visiting keeper then pulled off good saves from Brian O'Neil and Joe Miller to keep the score at 1-0 at the interval.

Although the visitors had much more possession in the second half, their scoring chances were few and far between with Dons defender Stephen Glass heading off the line following Andy Smith's effort.

But Aberdeen's second goal came on the hour mark with a brilliant solo effort from Gary Smith.

He picked the ball up 25 yards out on the right before skipping his way past two defenders and brilliantly chipping Westwater.

The win lifts Aberdeen into seventh place in the Premier Division - their highest placing this season.

Teams:

Aberdeen: Leighton, Anderson, Whyte, B. O'Neil, Inglis, Smith, Miller (Windass 83), Jess (Dodds 89), Newell, M. O'Neil, Glass.

Subs Not Used: Tzvetanov.

Booked: Smith.

Goals: Jess 6, Smith 60.

Dunfermline: Westwater, Shields, Miller (Sharp 81), Tod, Biemen, Curran (Duarte 81), Moore (Shaw 66), Robertson, Smith, French, Petrie.

Booked: Shields, Tod, Petrie.

Att: 8,661

Ref: J Fleming (Glasgow).