The two sides mostly stifled each other during the first half, with Sam Cosgrove blazing two near-identical chances over the crossbar in the opening 20 minutes, but neither ever really looking a threat.

It was the 39th minute before a Stevie May drive from 20 yards had Daniel Bachmann diving full-stretch to his left to turn round the post. It was the first shot on target either side had mustered and it probably deserved a goal.

Stewart also had a strike from outside the area two minutes from the interval, but Bachmann was this time able to gather more comfortably.

And the Dons' number seven arguably came closer with a left-foot shot after 51 minutes, but this time his low effort, again from outside the area, was narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Despite Kilmarnock introducing attackers Boyd and Rory McKenzie, Aberdeen still looked the more likely to break the deadlock, although the visitors continued to restrict them to long-range efforts, with Lewis Ferguson next to hit over the crossbar.

The Dons were dealt a blow with influential defender Scott McKenna limping off with 12 minutes remaining but Boyd's red card gave them the opportunity to press, with on-loan Manchester United striker James Wilson entering the fray.

Stewart saw a header blocked on the line after a Niall McGinn corner in the final minute, but the Dons were unable to turn their numerical advantage into the three points that would have moved them into second place.

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