Aberdeen 0-1 Kilmarnock: David Watson winner puts pressure on Barry Robson

Manager Barry Robson says he remains “confident” he can improve Aberdeen’s poor Scottish Premiership form as Kilmarnock’s first away win of the season left his side second bottom of the table.

The goal almost emptied an already sparse Pittodrie, and those who remained watched their side extend their winless run to four league games, having won just three of their 14 league matches overall.

“I’m confident, of course I am,” Robson told BBC Scotland. “I’ve been in a lot of difficult situations throughout my career. And as I said to the players, you stand up and fight and run for your club. And they’ll do that.”

Asked how he aims to turn things around, the Aberdeen bossed added: “By winning games. That’s the only way and that’s what we’ll aim to do.

“We’ll be in tomorrow, we’ll go through things we didn’t do so well tonight.”

Kilmarnock ecstatically celebrated their first Premiership win on the road this season at the eighth attempt, and only their third in 27 away games since promotion 18 months ago.

Victory pushes Derek McInnes’ side above Dundee into the top six as they proved the side able to produce the crucial moment in a game of few chances.

Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski had the ball in the net before the break but his effort was ruled out for offside, and Duk’s close-range header could not beat Will Dennis in the Kilmarnock goal.

Kilmarnock’s best chances before the goal also came from corners, but Liam Donnelly’s powerful header was tipped over the crossbar by Roos, and then five minutes from the end Stuart Findlay nodded wide.

That seemed like the visitors’ opportunity to snatch a big win, but their best move of the match yielded the crucial goal.

Substitute Matty Kennedy did brilliantly to work space for a cross down the left, and Watson’s touch and finish from inside the box was of the highest quality.

Player of the match – David Watson

Game-changing Killie win, Aberdeen fall flat – analysis

This victory could be game-changing for Kilmarnock. Ever since their promotion in 2022, they have toiled on the road. McInnes has tried everything to arrest things, but almost seemed at a loss as to why his side could not do it away from Rugby Park, where they are so strong.

But the former Aberdeen boss mentioned pre-match that despite the winless run this season, things felt different. He likes the depth of his squad and the added quality on the bench. Kennedy, who was at Aberdeen last season, made a difference and his skill down the left teed up Watson, who did the rest.

It was not a vintage performance but it was exactly what McInnes will want from his team away from home, as they were difficult to break down and took their chance when it mattered.

As for Aberdeen, this will raise more questions of Robson. The Aberdeen boss has understandably pointed to the fact seven of their last eight games in all competitions have been away from home as mitigation for their poor form, but this was the first of five winnable home league games this month and they fell flat.

They managed to be both ponderous and slow with the ball at times, while also rushing it forward without any composure at other moments. He waited until 75 minutes to make substitutions and change formation from five to four at the back, which did have some effect but ultimately did not pay off.

The stats will give those in charge at the club plenty of food for thought. Three league wins from 14 games. Just four clean sheets in 24 matches. Two wins in the last 12 games in all competitions. One home win all season. None of that can continue at a club with aspirations of repeating their third-place finish of last season.

What they said

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson: “It was disappointing, frustrated. We had lots of possession and huffed and puffed but never cut Kilmarnock open..”

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: “Any time you come to Pittodrie and get a result as an away team you have to do a lot of things right. We were competitive throughout, we went for an aggressive team, we had good ball winners in the middle of the park.

“I thought in the turnovers we had good moments to counter. We had some good moments and chances. I thought Stuart Findlay’s chance with five minutes to go and he just failed to hit the target. But it’s a real moment of quality that separates the teams.”

What’s next?

Aberdeen host Hearts on Saturday in what feels like a huge game for Robson (15:00 GMT), while Kilmarnock are at home to Celtic on Sunday (12:00).