Kilmarnock grabbed all three points at Pittodrie as Ebbe Skovdahl's dismal last season in Scotland continues.

After another poor Scottish Premier League display from his team, Aberdeen boss Skovdahl could be forgiven for hoping his employers find a successor sooner rather than later.

Gary McSwegan scored the only goal of the game after 65 minutes when he latched on to Peter Canero's deep cross and stroked in the winner on the half-volley.

Aberdeen tried to get back into the game, but Kilmarnock were eager to shut up shop and drag them into a midfield battle.

Killie offered little in the opening 10 minutes but created the best chance of the first half on the quarter-hour mark.

McSwegan broke free on the right-hand side and ran into space on the flank. He slipped in a low cross for Andy McLaren, who was breaking into the area.

Unfortunately for Kilmarnock the former Dundee United winger was unable to get into position in time and had to lunge at the ball, which spun wide off his knee.

Aberdeen looked marginally the more threatening in attack and forced a free-kick 30 yards from goal when Alan Mahood fouled Eric Deloumeaux.

Jamie McAllister appeared destined to hit the ball, but it was slipped wide for Darren Mackie who sliced his shot well wide.

Killie started the second half more positively and forced an opening in the 46th minute.

McLaren broke into the area and looked to have the beating of David Preece. But the goalkeeper managed to spread his body well and get in the way of the winger's shot, forcing it wide for a corner which was comfortably cleared.

Gordon Marshall was troubled for the first time after an hour.

Scott Michie broke down the right and played in a high ball. The wind blew it towards the top corner, forcing Marshall to scramble along his line and palm wide.

The Dons threatened once again three minutes later and forced Marshall into another save.

Kevin Rutkiewicz broke down the right flank and delivered a teasing ball into a packed penalty area. Once again the wind caught the ball, and it hung in the air for Mackie.

His powerful header was on target, but Marshall managed to dive low and save.

Aberdeen took off Fergus Tiernan, who had a disappointing match, to be replaced by Scott Muirhead.

But Skovdahl's plan did not work, and Killie took the lead.

McLaren broke free on the left hand side and fed Canero. The Scotland Under-21s defender played a deep cross into the area.

The ball was missed by two Aberdeen defenders and fell nicely for McSwegan.

Kilmarnock were then content to let the game degenerate into a stuffy midfield battle.

Aberdeen tried gamely to snatch an equaliser and might have done so through Rutkiewicz with four minutes remaining.

The youngster broke into the area at speed but was unable to curl his shot past Marshall.

Teams:

Aberdeen: Preece, Rutkiewicz, Anderson, McGuire, McAllister, Mackie, Darren Young, Deloumeaux, Tiernan (Muirhead 65), Michie (Billio 70), D'Jaffo (Mike 53).

Subs Not Used: Esson, Payne.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Shields, Locke, Dillon, Canero, Mahood, Fulton, Hay, McLaren (Boyd 90), Dargo (Fowler 88), McSwegan (Di Giacomo 88).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Murray.

Booked: Hay, Dillon, McLaren.

Goals: McSwegan 66.

Att: 8,861

Ref: Ian Fyfe (Scotland).