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Dons battle past Motherwell
- Updated: December 23, 2016
Aberdeen closed the gap on Rangers in second place after they beat Motherwell 3-1 at Fir Park on Friday night.
Goals from Graeme Shinnie, Adam Rooney and a late Niall McGinn strike were enough to seal the points after Scott McDonald’s overhead kick had earlier brought the sides level at 1-1 in an action packed first half.
Aberdeen took the lead after six minutes following some good build-up play from the away side, with Jonny Hayes finding Shinnie with a cutback and the defender swept his effort into the bottom corner past Craig Samson.
Motherwell were back on level terms after 16 minutes when Richard Tait’s cross from the right hand side was met by McDonald, whose deft overhead kick went in off the bar.
Aberdeen were back in front less than 10 minutes later, however, and in controversial circumstances. Samson spilled Kenny McLean’s shot and was adjudged to have brought down Rooney who was following up, although the contact looked minimal.
Rooney took the spot-kick, which was saved, but the striker was quickest to the rebound to slam the ball into the roof of the net.
Motherwell had the chance to draw level again five minutes before half-time when Mark Reynolds brought down Keith Lasley in the box but Louis Moult’s penalty was …
