Chris Maguire's first goal since Boxing Day 2006 and two second-half strikes handed Aberdeen a flattering victory over stricken Gretna in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

With Gretna in administration and struggling to survive, this game had been in serious doubt and was only able to take place when the Scottish Premier League gave the Borders' club a sorely-needed cash advance.

The final scoreline was harsh on Gretna, but despite a determined performance they were undone by Maguire's clinical finish, a Lee Miller penalty and a powerful drive from Barry Nicholson.

In the lead-up to the game Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood said he thought Gretna's plight could galvanise the Black and White's playing squad and that is exactly what happened.

Following a spirited pre-match huddle Gretna started in a determined nature which continued throughout, although they were aided by Aberdeen playing at a plodding pace for the most part.

The Dons did register an effort at goal in just the second minute, when a neat passing exchange between Jeffrey de Visscher and Miller allowed the Dutchman to shoot.

But De Visscher's drive was weak and comfortably gathered by Artur Krysiak in the Gretna goal.

Maguire then wasted a good opportunity when he curled a free-kick wide from a promising position and that was all under-par Aberdeen had to offer from an attacking perspective during the opening 25 minutes.

Miller attempted to lift the tedium through an ambitious overhead kick which was comfortably saved by Krysiak.

At the other end of the park, Gretna were struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third of the pitch, with lone striker Henry Makinwa finding it hard to make much of an impact.

Nevertheless, Gretna did give Aberdeen a real scare in the 36th minute when Ryan Baldacchino's cross was flicked towards goal by Ben Wilkinson, forcing Derek Soutar into making a crucial block.

Aberdeen were not exactly spurred into action following that rare chance for Gretna.

But it was the Dons that went on to take the lead five minutes before the interval, albeit undeservedly, thanks to Maguire.

Despite Maguire's impressive strike, Calderwood had apparently already decided to freshen up his team during the break as the goalscorer was substituted, along with Karim Touzani.

Sone Aluko and Steve Lovell were introduced to provide some attacking impetus, which frustratingly for their manager was not forthcoming.

The two shots that were directed towards Gretna's goal soon after the restart both came from long distance.

Severin was the first Aberdeen player to take aim, but, although he connected well with the ball, his powerful effort carried just wide.

A subsequent drive from Alan Maybury was on target and Krysiak caused panic in the away side's rearguard when he failed to hang on to the ball, only to recover.

However, despite a largely disappointing performance, Aberdeen finally doubled their advantage in the 71st minute when Miller was brought down by Krysiak in the penalty area having raced clear of a static Gretna defence.

Miller picked himself up off the turf to take the resulting spot-kick and coolly sent Krysiak the wrong way.

Within three minutes, an increasingly confident Aberdeen scored again as Lovell's neat lay-off was dispatched into the net by a crisp 20-yard drive from Nicholson.

That strike must have deflated Gretna given the effort they had put into the game and the hosts were then able to enjoy far more success at getting in behind a previously resolute Gretna defence.

Aluko's cheeky nutmeg on Gavin Skelton was sublime and created the best opportunity late on for Aberdeen, but Miller stabbed wide as the Dons had to be content with a hard-earned three-goal haul.

Teams:

Aberdeen Soutar, Maybury, Diamond, Considine, Foster, Nicholson, Touzani (Aluko 48), Severin (McNamara 77), De Visscher, Miller, Maguire (Lovell 47).

Subs Not Used: Langfield, Mackie, Mair, Walker.

Goals: Maguire 40, Miller 71 pen, Nicholson 73.

Gretna Krysiak, Griffiths, Hall, Meynell, Naughton, McGill, Wilkinson (Taylor 78), Osman (Skelton 49), Baldacchino, Deverdics, Makinwa (Hogg 65).

Subs Not Used: Grant, Murray, Fisher, Schultz-Eklund.

Booked: Osman.

Att: 9,025

Ref: Douglas McDonald (Scotland).