Aberdeen and Kilmarnock shared the points in a turgid encounter that was only livened up in the second half with a controversial penalty decision.

Tommy Johnson accepted a gracious penalty award after it appeared Craig Dargo took a theatrical tumble in the box, but the Dons his back within 10 minutes through Phil McGuire.

The poor state of the Pittodrie pitch meant that flowing football was never an option and both sides struggled to cope with the conditions.

Aberdeen dominated on possession but failed to break through a Killie defence, making full use of the offside rule and a linesman who was equally sharp.

The Dons looked the slightly more lively side and had it not been for the inability of Eugene Dadi to remain onside, they may have taken the lead.

Robbie Winters gathered the ball 25 yards out from the Killie goalmouth and delivered a perfect chance for Dadi.

However, the Ivory Coast hitman failed to time his run correctly and was flagged offside.

Winters carved another opportunity for Dadi minutes later and this time he managed to remain legitimately in play.

The former Dundee United striker whipped a low cross along the Killie six-yard line but Dadi was unable to stretch his leg far enough and make contact with the ball.

Then, for the third time in 23 minutes, Winters provided Dadi with a golden chance.

Derek Young broke down the flank and played Winters in on goal. It looked easier to shoot but the striker decided to lay the ball off for Dadi, who had somehow managed to wander offside.

Killie awakened from their slumber and created their first chance in the 27th minute.

Craig Dargo was on the receiving end of a throughball from Ally Mitchell but, before he could make contact, Peter Kjaer raced from his line and cleared.

The Dons hit back and had the ball in the back of the net in the 35th minute.

Robbie Winters side-footed in a Kevin McNaughton cross but, much to his annoyance, the linesman flagged once more.

Kilmarnock finished the half with a fantastic chance. Derek Whyte's poor header was pounced upon by Kris Boyd, who unleashed a volley towards goal.

Then, in a bizarre sequence of events, the ball smacked off the base of the post, off Kjaer's leg and away to safety.

Bobby Williamson's men took the lead in controversial circumstances 48th minute through Johnson.

Craig Dargo raced onto a throughball from Peter Canero and, despite taking the ball past Kjaer, fell to the ground.

Referee Kevin Toner was non-committal and raced to the Aberdeen goal-line without making a decision.

He then consulted the linesman before awarding a penalty kick.

Former Celtic striker Johnson placed the ball on the spot, amid scenes of fierce protest from the home team, and duly planted it past Kjaer.

However, the lead was short-lived and the Dons equalised with their first real chance of the second half.

Robbie Winters swung in a free kick from the left hand side, deep to the back post where McGuire was standing.

The young defender somehow managed to thread the ball through a ruck of players and high into the net.

Both sides began to niggle at each other as the Dons obviously still suffered from the feeling of injustice over the penalty.

Johnson was booked for a cynical and needless foul on McGuire and Emillio Jaconelli, who had only been on the park for a matter of minutes, was warned by the referee for making the most of a tackle by Jamie McAllister.

The closing stages of the match mirrored much of the first half.

Both sides struggled to get the upper hand and the game gradually petered out to a stalemate.

Teams

Aberdeen: Kjaer, McNaughton, McGuire, Whyte, McAllister (Solberg 83), Guntveit, Bisconti, Tiernan (Zerouali 57), Winters, Derek Young, Dadi (Mackie 86).

Subs Not Used: Esson, Thornley.

Booked: Tiernan.

Goals: McGuire 56.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, McGowne, Hessey, Hay, Mitchell, Johnson (McLaren 87), Sanjuan, Canero, Boyd (Jaconelli 62), Dargo.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Pizzo, McDonald.

Booked: Canero, Mitchell, McGowne, Johnson.

Goals: Johnson 51 pen.

Att: 15,004

Ref: K Toner (Scotland).