Aberdeen clinched a narrow 1-0 win over Dundee United despite playing most of the second half a man short in their Scottish Premiership match this afternoon.

The home side looked the more likely in the opening 15 minutes, but Kenny McLean, Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn all failed to test the keeper with their shots.

Adam Rooney broke the deadlock shortly before the break when Mark Reynolds sliced the ball in front of goal, leaving the striker to tap it in from close range.

Mario Bilate could have equalised just before the interval for the visitors when he powered his way into the box before trying to chip over the wary Scott Brown.

The visitors piled forward again early in the second half in a bid to get back on level terms, but Chris Erskine and Robbie Muirhead both saw their efforts claimed by Brown.

Aberdeen's hopes of holding on for the win were dealt a blow with 20 minutes to play as Barry Robson went in late and high on Charlie Tefler to earn a straight red card.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Aberdeen finished the match strongly, with Rooney coming close to adding a second on a couple of occasions, but he could not keep his shots on target.

Nadir Cifti tried a long-range drive in stoppage time for United, but the 30-yard strike was just a fraction high, allowing Aberdeen to take all three points.

The result leaves Aberdeen second in the table, five points behind leaders Celtic, while Dundee United sit fourth.