Karim Touzani's first goal for Aberdeen saw his side move within two points of Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and increase their hopes of finishing third.

Touzani's 48th-minute header from Jeffrey de Visscher's corner added to Richard Foster's first-half strike and saw the Dons build on last weekend's victory over Hibernian.

A terrific run and shot by Danny Swanson immediately after Touzani's goal handed United a lifeline, but they could not go on to get the victory that would have pushed them into third spot ahead of Motherwell, who had earlier lost to Celtic.

Aberdeen started the game with manager Jimmy Calderwood undertaking several formation changes, but while he tinkered with his side United were busy trying to break the deadlock.

Lee Wilkie saw a first-minute header from close range comfortably gathered by Jamie Langfield in the home goal, while Morgaro Gomis blasted a wild effort well over the crossbar.

Aberdeen had failed to test United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska at all during the opening half-hour, yet through their first shot on target, the Dons took the lead.

Zaluska could only parry a powerful half-volley by Derek Young and Foster was instantly on to the rebound to dispatch a right-footed shot low into the net.

Despite making the breakthrough Aberdeen's new-found advantage would only have lasted a mere four minutes had it not been for a terrific stop from Langfield.

Sean Dillon's accurate cross picked out the towering frame of Wilkie, who firmly nodded an effort towards goal that was acrobatically pushed away by the former Dundee keeper.

Mark Kerr then fired a drive just wide from 20 yards out, before a mistake from Langfield almost gifted United an equaliser.

Surrounded by a host of players Langfield failed to punch clear a cross from Danny Grainger, but Noel Hunt's subsequent effort was weak and cleared off his own goal-line by Touzani.

Langfield did far better in saving a free-kick from Swanson during first-half injury time and just how crucial a save that was became apparent early in the second period when Aberdeen scored their second goal of the afternoon.

A well-flighted corner from De Visscher was headed down and into the net by Touzani as the Dutch duo combined in perfect fashion.

At that stage the Dons would have been confident of securing all three points, yet Swanson immediately hit back for United in style.

The youngster showed wonderful poise and balance to leave three Aberdeen defenders trailing in his wake before lashing a shot in off Langfield's right-hand post.

Swanson was clearly in the mood to impress and in the 50th minute saw a curling effort drift agonisingly wide, with United piling the pressure on their hosts.

Back came Aberdeen though and Lee Miller should have scored against his old club after doing well to connect with a Chris Maguire cross, only to head straight at a thankful Zaluska.

Touzani then came within a whisker of again finding the back of the net, driving a volley into the turf which bounced marginally off-target with Zaluska rendered helpless.

The Dons went on to finish strongly with substitute Josh Walker's low free-kick touched unconvincingly wide by Zaluska.

Walker's resultant corner then saw a thumping Miller header saved by the United keeper, before a strong surge forward by Derek Young ended with the midfielder dragging a shot just past the far post.

The last chance fell to Walker in time added on, but from an acute angle the on-loan Middlesbrough player's effort was blocked by Zaluska.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, Duff, Severin, Considine, Foster, De Visscher (Lovell 87), Nicholson (Bus 79), Touzani, Young,Miller, Maguire (Walker 73).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Ross.

Booked: Foster, Miller.

Goals: Foster 30, Touzani 48.

Dundee Utd Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Grainger, Flood, Kerr (O'Brien 79), Swanson, Gomis (Daly 84),Hunt (Johnny Russell 46), De Vries.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Robertson, Kovacevic, Odhiambo.

Booked: Grainger, Dods.

Goals: Swanson 49.

Att: 10,312

Ref: B Winter (Scotland).