Aberdeen beat St Johnstone after Considine red

Angus MacDonald's near-post connection beat goalkeeper Remi Matthews

Aberdeen moved to within a point of third place after a one-goal Scottish Premiership win that delivers a blow to 10-man St Johnstone's top-six hopes.

Angus MacDonald's toe poke was then knocked into his own net by goalkeeper Remi Matthews.

A late red card for Graeme Shinnie could not prevent a victory in Barry Robson's first game since being handed the manager's job until the summer.

While Aberdeen rarely threatened to extend their lead, it was enough for a fourth consecutive win that drops St Johnstone down to ninth.

They are now eight points adrift of sixth-top Hibernian with only three games remaining before the top-flight splits into two for the final round of fixtures.

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• Reaction & as it happened

Callum Davidson, who had made five changes as he looked to end Saints' run of seven homes games without a win, had told BBC Scotland minutes before kick-off that he viewed this as a "cup final" for his side's hopes of a top-six finish.

The game certainly had a knock-out feel in a whirlwind start as Aberdeen goalkeeper Kelle Roos got down to palm away a strike from Liam Gordon and blocked fellow defender Considine's effort on the rebound at the front post.

Aberdeen raced up the other end and striker Bojan Miovski was sent sprawling into the penalty box as he was challenged from behind by Considine racing on to a through ball.

There was good and bad news for Saints following a VAR check as referee Colin Steven ruled that the challenge had been outside the penalty box before handing the centre-half a red card instead of a birthday one as he starts his 36th year - and against his former club too.

The 10 men almost took the lead immediately as Roos' foot knocked wide striker Zak Rudden low drive from an acute angle and the end-to-end action continued as Aberdeen midfielder Ylber Ramadani's curling drive struck the junction of bar and post.

Aberdeen's extra man began to tell and, after Matthews thwarted a MacDonald header with a superb one-handed save, the defender's toe met a Jonny Hayes corner at the front post and, although the goalkeeper clawed it off the line, his trailing foot knocked it over the line.

It was St Johnstone who had the best chances of the second half and, after midfielder Shinnie was sent off for a second yellow card, centre-half Gordon came agonisingly close to an equaliser as his header struck the crossbar in the dying seconds.

Player of the match - Kelle Roos (Aberdeen)

Although Aberdeen had a man advantage, it was goalkeeper Kelle Roos' saves that were crucial in their victory.

More to follow.

What's next?

St Johnstone host Ross County next Saturday as Aberdeen are at home to Kilmarnock (both 15:00 BST).

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