Ross County spoiled Barry Robson’s swansong as they recorded an impressive away win at Aberdeen.
The Dons were never at the races against a slick County side who ran out 4-0 winners in a one-sided encounter in the final game of the season at Pittodrie.
Robson was made captain of the side for his final game and given a guard of honour by the teams as he made his way on to the pitch alongside his children for his final game.
On a day where he made his final appearance he was joined by two players making their first starts for the Dons in goalkeeper Aaron Lennox and attacking midfielder Scott Wright.
For County, manager Jim McIntyre went with an attacking formation for the Staggies’ final game of the campaign with Alex Schalk partnering Brian Graham in attack while Liam Boyce provided the support just off the front two.
It was County who made the breakthrough midway through the first half as Schalk cut inside and tried to go around Lennox only to be hauled to the ground by the Dons goalkeeper who conceded a penalty and earned himself a caution in the process.
From the resulting spot kick Graham hammered the ball high past the Australian.
With nothing at stake other than pride there was a distinct lack in tempo from the home side and they were punished again in the final minute of the first half as the visitors doubled their lead when Graham headed a ball into the box from Martin Woods to Schalk who hooked the ball over his shoulder and in at the far post to give Lennox no chance.
Robson brought the curtain down on his Dons career on the hour mark when he was replaced by Cammy Smith before County goalkeeper Scott Fox made a fine fingertip save to prevent Aberdeen from halving the deficit when he turned Willo Flood’s header on to the crossbar.
Flood flashed the rebound over the crossbar and his side were promptly left cursing their squandered chance as a breakaway from County resulted in a third goal.
Liam Boyce started it, intercepting a Flood pass forward before playing the ball out wide to Graham who in turn crossed the ball into the box for Boyce who headed the ball past Lennox for his 20th goal of the season.
The Dons looked like a side with one eye on the beach already and County did not ease off with Martin Woods rounding off a fine day’s work when he lashed a fantastic 30 yard strike high past Lennox to make it 4-0.
