Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hailed goalkeeper Joe Lewis’ intervention in the 2-1 Premiership win against Hamilton at Pittodrie yesterday.
Lewis made a superb one-handed save to prevent Ali Crawford putting Hamilton ahead with the score at 1-1. The save proved crucial as the Dons swept forward to score the winner through Adam Rooney.
McInnes said: “Joe has done that often enough for us this season. Hamilton were always a danger on the counter-attack and it was just when we were trying to adjust to changes with them putting on the second forward.
“Crawford found a bit of space but thankfully big Joe made the save. We’ve got a goalkeeper there who has earned us a lot of points this year.”
The Dons were made to toil for the win which takes them to within four points of Rangers, but McInnes insisted his side were worthy victors after recovering from a contentious penalty award for Accies, something they failed to do when losing 1-0 at New Douglas Park in October.
He said: “We were hands down the better team. We were miles ahead of them, relentless with our pressure, and the players deserve a lot of credit this time around for doing something about a poor penalty decision and winning the game.”
Defender Ash Taylor, who scored the first goal for the Dons, is targeting a third win in a row to end 2016 on a high note at Hearts on Friday.
He said: “It is always important to build momentum and we’re going into Friday with another good three points.
“We had numerous chances, I had a few myself, but we managed to get the job done and that’s what matters.
“The focus is now fully on the Hearts game.”
Taylor believes the Dons can travel to Tynecastle with confidence thanks to the form of players such as Jonny Hayes and Lewis, who were hugely influential in yesterday’s Pittodrie win.
The defender said: “When Jonny is on form he is brilliant to have in the team. He drives at teams and is a great ball-carrier for us.
“Joe is great and is a fantastic goalkeeper.
“He tells us where he wants us and when he is called on he always produces the goods, like he did today.”