Nicky Devlin scored a late winner for Aberdeen against his former club Livingston to propel the Dons close to the top six in the Premiership.
The visitors had been second for long periods, but the winger scored the only goal of a hard-fought match with a well-taken header in the 80th minute.
The victory – a fifth in seven league matches – puts Jimmy Thelin’s side three points behind sixth-placed Falkirk with a game in hand.
Livingston must have regretted not making his pressure count in the first half after keeping Aberdeen camped deep within their own half.
The Lions remain nailed at the foot of the table, two points behind St Mirren.
The hosts were keen to take advantage of any lethargy felt by Aberdeen following their midweek Conference League draw at home to Armenian side Noah.
David Martindale’s side came out of the blocks quickly and striker Steve May was the first to threaten with a shot across goal before Mo Susoho stinged the palms of Dimitar Mitov in the 15th minute.
The Lions then pounced on a poor kick from the Dons keeper, but he redeemed himself by keeping out Susoho’s effort from close range after the on-loan Manchester City midfielder collected Tete Yengi’s pass.
Aberdeen were unable to keep the ball for an extended period of time and had to rely on counter-attacks to try to cause problems.
On one occasion, Jesper Karlsson cut along the edge of the area before unleashing a right-footed shot and Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior was relieved to see the deflected shot drift just wide.
Livingston had another chance to test Mitov on the half-hour mark when Yengi was brought down just outside the area.
May’s free-kick went over the wall, but Mitov put a strong hand on the effort to his left.
There was a glimmer of hope for the visitors before the break when Karlsson fired a shot wide before Adil Aouchiche fired over.
But that wasn’t enough to satisfy the traveling fans and Aberdeen were booed at the break.
Pittodrie’s side were more competitive in the second half but it was Livingston who still looked threatening.
Mitov parried a clumsy Yengi strike from outside the area before the visitors cleared the danger.
Defender Jack Milne was a relieved man moments later after coming within inches of scoring an own goal by pushing away Sammy Lawal’s teasing cross for a corner.
Aberdeen boss Thelin made five changes in the second half and those substitutions made the difference.
Just moments after his entry, Nicolas Milanovic forced Prior to make a good save.
And it was another of these arrivals who played his part in Aberdeen taking the lead with 10 minutes remaining in regulation time.
Topi Keskinen spotted the unmarked Devlin at the far post and the winger sent a looping header across the goal and into the net.
After a long VAR stoppage to check for offside, the goal was finally awarded and Aberdeen held on to take the win.
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