Aberdeen 1-0 St Johnstone: Late Adam Rooney header sends Dons into final four

A last-minute winner from substitute Adam Rooney booked Aberdeen the final spot in the Betfred Cup semi-finals in a fiery game against St Johnstone at Pittodrie Stadium.

Aberdeen, who host Rangers on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership, live on Sky Sports 1, now join Mark Warburton's side in the final four of the league cup alongside Celtic and Greenock Morton.

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In a game which saw seven yellow cards and lacked many clear cut chances, Rooney's late header was enough to ensure Dons remain in the competition despite not having a shot on target until deep into the second half.

St Johnstone left both Graham Cummins and Chris Kane out of the starting line-up after both strikers were found guilty of diving but it was Steven MacLean who almost caught Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis off guard with an audacious lob on 20 minutes which dipped just over the bar.

James Maddison, on loan from Norwich, sparked Dons into life just before half-time, expertly controlling a first-time pass to set Niall McGinn down the wing, whose equally perfect cross found Wes Burns, but the striker's finish could not match the build-up.

Danny Swanson, who claimed his time at Coventry came to an end because Maddison displaced him, was the first to create any danger after the break, twice cutting inside from the left and curling shots just over the crossbar.  

Kenny MacLean then missed a gilt-edged chance to put the Dons ahead, meeting Maddison's corner less than 10 yards out but couldn't keep his volley down with the goal gaping.

David Wotherspoon thought he had put the away side in front after slotting home from Swanson's through-ball only for a late flag to rule it out for offside.

Wotherspoon then silenced the Pittodrie Stadium with a free-kick that was tipped onto the post by Lewis just three minutes from full time, before substitute Rooney stole plaudits for Aberdeen in the 90th minute, expertly heading Graeme Shinnie's cross into the far corner.