Ross County inflicted a fourth consecutive home league defeat on Aberdeen with two Billy Mckay goals as the 10-man Dons simply ran out of steam in the closing minutes at Pittodrie.
A huge win for County lifted them 10 points clear of bottom club Hearts.
The effects of playing for an hour with just 10 men after Dean Campbell received a second yellow card took its toll on Aberdeen in the closing stages – despite the best efforts of goalkeeper and captain Joe Lewis in trying to prevent a club-record equalling run jointly held by Ebbe Skovdahl and Steve Paterson.
Dons boss Derek McInnes was frustrated at seeing his players ending the game with nothing to show for their efforts.
He said: “It would have been a brilliant point in the circumstances. When you go so long with 10 men you have to make sure there is enough resilience in the last few minutes.
“The players put everything into it. They were clearly shattered out there and I’m just disappointed we didn’t get our rewards going down to 10 men. It was a game we set out to win and we knew the energy and physical part of the game would be an issue.
“We tried to freshen up a few areas. We always knew we would bring the subs on earlier but is thought to maintain those levels with 10 men.
“We won’t let it derail our form.”
Following the remarkable events at Kilmarnock in Aberdeen’s midweek Scottish Cup win it was no surprise to see a more mundane game.
For the Staggies, who arrived at Pittodrie having won only once on the road in the Premiership this season, it was a thrilling victory.
County co-manager Steven Ferguson said: “As far as we are concerned we did feel a monkey on our back regarding our away form so to right a wrong and win a game is big for us as a group.
“Our two performances against Aberdeen have been ones we definitely needed to improve on and we’re delighted to have come here and done that.
“Billy Mckay’s finishes were totally different but I’ve said long enough if we can provide the chances he’ll take them.
“But it’s only one game and one win. Nobody here will get carried away.”
Niall McGinn flashed two free kicks off target while Sam Cosgrove also snatched at his chance when he fired wide as the Dons pushed for the opener. With County struggling to impose themselves offensively Aberdeen eventually gained a foothold in midfield and from their first corner they broke the deadlock.
It was a familiar scene for the visiting support as they watched their defence fail to clear Campbell’s cross from McGinn’s corner, Liam Fontaine the culprit on this occasion, and Cosgrove headed the ball into the path of Curtis Main, who fired home from close range.
The home side’s joy was shortlived, however, as they found themselves reduced to 10 men just after the half-hour mark. Campbell, who had earlier been booked, was shown a second yellow card for foolishly sticking his leg out to prevent County midfielder Iain Vigurs from taking a free kick on the halfway line.
For the Dons, playing an hour with 10 men was the last thing they needed after 120 minutes three days earlier. For County, it was a lifeline and one they grabbed with both hands.
In 43 minutes former Don Richard Foster’s angled ball into the box was met by Billy Mckay and the striker beat Joe Lewis with a fine header to make it 1-1.
Lewis came to the rescue for his side at the start of the second half when Scott McKenna’s poor pass back succeeded in sending Mckay clear on goal. The Dons goalkeeper blocked the County striker’s effort and the rebound which was fired in by Lee Erwin.
Aberdeen broke upfield from the double save and the ball broke to Lewis Ferguson who saw his low 20-yard strike hit the post.
Chances were at a premium until the final 10 minutes and Lewis denied County again, diving to his right to tip Josh Mullin’s deflected dipping shot over the crossbar.
But with just two minutes left Mckay raced clear of a static Dons defence to meet Don Cowie’s wonderful defence-splitting pass to beat Lewis and snatch a Staggies victory.