Aberdeen moved level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic thanks to a 4-0 win against bottom of the table Ross County.
Adam Rooney’s 21st goal of the season, courtesy of a dreadful error by County goalkeeper Antonio Reguero, gave the Dons the early initiative before Peter Pawlett doubled the advantage six minutes after the break.
Shay Logan netted the third with a left-footed effort from the edge of the area before David Goodwillie completed the rout as the Dons eased to victory.
The result means Jim McIntyre’s side have now gone 11 games without a win and remain six points adrift at the bottom of the table.
New signing Kenny McLean was drafted in for his Aberdeen debut as manager Derek McInnes made two changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Dundee United in last weekend’s League Cup semi-final.
Cammy Smith was also handed a start with Goodwillie and Pawlett both dropping to the bench.
The Staggies made one alteration from the line-up that earned a 1-1 draw against Highland rivals Caley Thistle with Spanish midfielder Ruben Palazuelos starting ahead of Craig Curran.
It took the Dons only 12 minutes to break the deadlock and it was one to forget for Staggies goalkeeper Reguero.
The Spanish stopper somehow managed to spill Jonny Hayes’ low cross under no pressure whatsoever, allowing Rooney to gleefully stab the ball into the net.
Aberdeen were forced to make a change 10 minutes before the break when Donervorn Daniels hobbled off injured and was replaced by Joe Shaughnessy.
The Dons were claiming for a penalty in first half injury time when Shay Logan fell to ground under pressure from Tony Dingwall but referee Craig Thomson waved away the protests.
Both sides shuffled their pack at the break with Pawlett coming on for Smith, while Steven Saunders replaced Scott Boyd for the Staggies.
But it was the Aberdeen substitute who made an immediate impact, latching on to a Rooney through ball before rounding Reguero and slotting the ball into an empty net.
Aberdeen made it 3-0 after 61 minutes when the ball fell to Logan on the edge of the area and the Dons defender cut inside before unleashing a powerful left-footed drive that Reguero failed to keep out.
And Goodwillie netted four minutes from time to complete a miserable day for County.
