SPL: Late Maclean strike helps St Johnstone edge Aberdeen

A late Steven Maclean strike was enough for St Johnstone to snatch a win against Aberdeen in their Scottish Premier League clash at McDiarmid Park.

Maclean struck for the Saints10 minutes from time to earn his side their second win of the season as they bounced back from last week's defeat at Hamilton. 

St Johnstone leapfrogged Aberdeen in the table after inflicting their second defeat in three games on them and a further worry to Dons boss Derek McInnes will be that captain Russell Anderson limped off injured. 

MacLean had clipped the post in the first half and Gary MacDonald missed a golden chance when Jamie Langfield spilled the ball into his path.

Andrew Considine headed off the bar as Aberdeen improved, but after that both sides struggled to create opportunites until Maclean popped up with the winner to the delight of the home fans.

The former Don slotted home a Michael O’Halloran cross ten minutes from time to earn his side their second win of the season as they bounced back from last week's defeat at Hamilton. 

MacLean had clipped the post in the first half following a poor error from Jonny Hayes as Aberdeen rode their luck.

The Dons had a penalty appeal waved away when Dave Mackay fell to ground under pressure from Mark Reynolds as he attempted to slot home from close range.

The hosts almost took the lead on the half hour mark when Andrew Considine’s header came back off the crossbar with Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus beaten.

Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield almost gifted Saints a goal when spilled the ball into the path Gary MacDonald, who was unable to convert the chance.

St Johnstone leapfrogged Aberdeen in the table after inflicting their second defeat in three games on them and a further worry to Dons boss Derek McInnes will be that captain Russell Anderson limped off injured.