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Dons beat Hamilton to close gap on Rangers

Adam Rooney scored a hat-trick for the Dons
Adam Rooney scored a hat-trick for the Dons

Aberdeen reduced the gap between themselves and second placed Rangers to four points following a hard fought 2-1 win against Hamilton at Pittodrie.

Ashton Taylor and Adam Rooney got the goals for Derek McInnes’ side in a frantic encounter.

McInnes named an unchanged line-up following his side’s 3-1 win at Motherwell on Friday.

His selection was almost rewarded in the fourth minute when Mark Reynolds headed Niall McGinn’s corner into the net but the goal was chalked off for a foul in the box by Ashton Taylor.

The Dons were dominant in the first half with Graeme Shinnie going close twice while Kenny McLean, Taylor and Mark Reynolds also had chances.

Aberdeen’s dominance eventually paid off in the 34th minute when Taylor headed a Jonny Hayes free kick past Gary Woods in the Accies goal to put the Dons ahead.

The lead lasted all of four minutes, however, as referee Andrew Dallas found himself at the centre of a disputed penalty, ruling Joe Lewis had brought Danny Redmond down as the midfielder tried to go around him.

The Dons were furious with the decision but Dallas stood firm and Dougie Imrie sent the Aberdeen goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-1.

Dallas then waved away appeals for a penalty from the home side when Adam Rooney was sent sprawling in the box.

The Aberdeen pressure continued in the second half but it was the introduction of substitute James Maddison which helped the Dons regain the lead with Accies goalkeeper Woods parrying his low drive into the path of Rooney who fired the ball into the net.

The Dons craved a third to give them a cushion against their opponents but it did not come and it was Accies who threatened in the closing stages.

Aberdeen stood firm, however, and Accies ended the game with 10 men when defender Scott McMann was sent off for hauling Hayes to the ground as the midfielder raced clear.