Aberdeen continued their push for a top-six place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a single-goal win over Falkirk at Pittodrie.

Jamie Smith struck in the 34th minute as the Dons claimed their third successive SPL win for the first time in 11 months.

The former Celtic midfielder hit home after Danny Griffin's cross was flicked off Tiago Rodrigues by Barry Nicholson, allowing Smith to sweep in the loose ball from 10 yards.

Falkirk's best opportunity arrived 12 minutes earlier, but Daniel McBreen's shot from Pedro Moutinho's cross drew a fine save from Jamie Langfield.

Aberdeen's first effort came in the fifth minute when Smith's inswinging free-kick met the head of Scott Severin who was positioned on the Falkirk penalty mark.

With his back to goal, the former Hearts midfielder flicked a deft effort towards visiting goalkeeper Allan Ferguson, but the ball carried just over the crossbar.

The Bairns struggled to eke out any opportunities in the opening stages, although there were calls for a spot-kick when Kevin McNaughton challenged Moutinho on the edge of the penalty area after Steven Thomson's measured through ball.

Referee Eddie Smith waved away the appeals, but, unperturbed, Falkirk then created a fine in the 21st minute when Moutinho's low cross from the right wing was met by McBreen.

The Australian's clipped shot was destined to creep inside the near post, but for the effort of Langfield who produced a fantastic stop to keep the score deadlocked.

The Dons were slowly starting to assert their authority on the game and in the 33rd minute the home side had their own appeals for a penalty dismissed when Smith's cross appeared to bounce up and strike the hand of Kenny Milne, while the Falkirk defender was put under pressure by the attentions of Zander Diamond.

However, within a minute, Aberdeen took the lead as once again a simple cross caused consternation in the away rearguard.

Griffin's centre rebounded off Tiago after a touch from Nicholson and, when the ball fell to Smith, the midfielder beat Ferguson with a low drive.

After the break, Milne made a fine recovering tackle on Ferne Snoyl to stop the Dutchman scampering through on goal, before the on-loan Feyenoord midfielder was replaced by Darren Mackie in the 54th minute

The Dons substitute was then presented with an opportunity double the home side's lead as Smith's tantalising cross looked to have picked out the striker who was standing unmarked only six yards on goal.

But the centre had just too much pace on it and, as Mackie thrust himself forward in an attempt to score with a diving header, the ball flew out of play on the far side.

That was the last attack Aberdeen offered as Falkirk had the better of the closing stages and the away side were unfortunate not to equalise when Alan Gow's 78th minute effort drew a fine save from Langfield.

However, the Dons held on and remain one point behind Inverness in the battle to secure sixth place in the table.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, Clark, Anderson, Diamond, McNaughton,Nicholson, Severin, Griffin, Snoyl (Mackie 54),Smith (MacFarlane 88), Lovell (Foster 65).

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Dempsey, Stewart, Macauley.

Booked: McNaughton.

Goals: Smith 34.

Falkirk Ferguson, Lawrie, Rodrigues (Barr 45), Milne,Lescinel (Twaddle 82), Craig, Cregg, Thomson, Gow, McBreen,Moutinho.

Subs Not Used: Howard, Ross, Theobold, Scally, Lima.

Booked: Lawrie.

Att: 11,538

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).