Kilmarnock held on to fifth spot in the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a stubborn display to frustrate Aberdeen at wind-swept Pittodrie.

Both sides played some decent football as they cancelled each other out in a first half of few chances before Scott Severin's deflected free-kick struck the post amid a flurry of Dons' second-half pressure.

But Kilmarnock threatened to sneak a winner in the latter stages as they remained two points ahead of the Dons.

Aberdeen made two changes, bringing in Barry Nicholson and Stevie Crawford for Steve Lovell and Richard Foster, while Kilmarnock were unchanged.

Killie made a bright start but Crawford had the first shot on goal in the seventh minute after a good passing move, although Alan Combe comfortably caught his first-time effort from the edge of the box.

Steven Naismith had Killie's first strike at goal in the 15th minute but his shot on the run sailed high and wide after Gary Wales had laid off a throw into the box.

Both sides were playing the ball around well but getting plenty of players behind the ball when not in possession.

Danny Invincibile curled the ball just wide from the edge of the box after Russell Anderson had stopped Naismith's superb run forward with a crucial sliding tackle.

At the other end, Combe pulled off an excellent fingertip save to tip over Gary Dempsey's 20-yard volley that deflected off James Fowler's boot.

Jamie Smith won a free-kick 25 yards from the Killie goal but his shot deflected high and wide off Crawford's head.

And Crawford saw a 25-yard low drive saved by Combe after good work up the left.

Invincibile broke down the right on the counter attack but Colin Nish was just too far behind his low cross and Jamie Langfield gathered.

The home fans began to show their frustration as another move broke down on the edge of the Killie box and Allan Johnston's clever passing in attacking midfield positions was threatening the hosts on the break.

Amid a scrappy start to the second half, Kilmarnock defender Simon Ford was stretchered off after a strong tackle on Ferne Snoyl with Lindsay Wilson entering the fray and Gordon Greer moving inside from right-back.

Much of the play was inside the visitors' half now but Johnston found room on the edge of the Aberdeen box only for Langfield to smother his low drive.

Smith found space 25 yards from the Kilmarnock goal in the 55th minute and Combe did well to push away his bouncing left-foot strike.

Langfield was relieved to see Johnston's 45-yard shot drift wide after his attempt to set up a counter attack bounced off a retreating player with the keeper stranded.

The hosts won a free-kick 20 yards out and Severin's low strike deflected off the wall and spun onto the post and away to safety.

Kilmarnock were under intense pressure now as the Dons sent the ball into the box whenever they could and Combe did well to beat away Anderson's powerful strike from 20 yards.

The visitors emerged from their defensive shell as the game entered the final quarter and Nish glanced a header a couple of feet wide from Garry Hay's right-wing free-kick.

Greer was the first man booked for going through the back of Severin, who had been pushed forward along with Nicholson's replacement Darren Mackie.

The Ayrshire men almost worked an opening in the box with Wilson making an impressive foray forward.

Mackie was booked for a late tackle on Naismith as Killie threatened to sneak a winner. A deep corner from Johnston was headed back in by Frazer Wright but Naismith stabbed it inches wide.

With three minutes left, Naismith burst on to Nish's header down but his shot from 18 yards flew into Langfield's arms.

The full-time whistle was met with half-hearted boos from the home support as their slim UEFA Cup hopes vanished.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, Diamond, Anderson, McNaughton,Clark (Macauley 82), Nicholson (Mackie 77), Severin, Dempsey,Snoyl (Foster 63), Smith, Crawford.

Subs Not Used: Esson, Maguire, MacFarlane, Griffin.

Kilmarnock Combe, Greer, Wright, Ford (Wilson 52), Hay,Invincibile, Johnston, Fowler, Naismith, Wales, Nish.

Subs Not Used: Smith, McDonald, Di Giacomo, Leven, Campbell,

Bell.

Booked: Greer.

Att: 10,634

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).