Aberdeen 1-2 Motherwell
Last updated on .From the section Football
Motherwell remained level on points with second-place Celtic after claiming victory over Aberdeen in a Scottish Premier League encounter at Pittodrie.
Michael Higdon headed Motherwell ahead from Tom Hateley's cross in the sixth minute of play.
But Scott Vernon soon levelled for the Dons, nodding into the net from Rob Milson's delivery.
Omar Daley fired the visitors back in front at the start of the second half and Aberdeen could not recover.
The Steelmen's fourth successive victory over Aberdeen takes them to within 10 points of SPL leaders Rangers, with Celtic having played a game less than their Old Firm rivals and 'Well.
An early free-kick gave the Stuart McCall's side the chance to apply some pressure and Hateley's delivery was diverted into the net by the head of Higdon.
Aberdeen responded quickly and Milsom swung the ball into the box from the left, allowing the unmarked Vernon to head past goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
The Dons took heart from their equaliser and Chris Clark came close with a curling shot that crept over from 25 yards.
Vernon was unable to make a clean connection with another header after being found by Fraser Fyvie's inswinging free-kick.
The hosts continued to press at the start of the second half and Mohamed Chalali nodded onto the top of the crossbar from Rory McArdle's cross.
And that proved to be a turning point as Motherwell went up the park to regain the lead.
Daley, making his first start for Motherwell, ran on to Jamie Murphy's hooked pass, checked back and shot into the bottom corner.
A 25-yard strike by Chalali was parried wide by Randolph as Aberdeen went in search of a second leveller.
A late Dons break led by Youl Mawene was broken down by the retreating Motherwel defence, who held firm in the closing stages to take all three points.
