A goal and assist from Toyosi Olusanya continued Aberdeen's improvement under Stephen Robinson as they defeated Dundee United at Pittodrie to stretch their unbeaten Scottish Premiership run to four games.
Olusanya, who had failed to score in his first 15 games and was starting to come in for criticism, ended up as the decisive player by playing his part in all the big moments of the game.
Firstly, he fashioned the opening goal with a trademark run forward. The striker managed to slow down and lay the ball to Stuart Armstrong, who calmly stroked the ball into the bottom corner to put Aberdeen deservedly in front.
Olusanya was also key in the final six minutes after Aberdeen had held off a United fightback.
First the forward's speed forced Emmanuel Agyei to trip him for the second time, resulting in another yellow and sending off for the United midfielder.
Then he was lurking to side-foot his first Aberdeen goal high into the net and seal victory after Lyall Cameron's shot was initially saved by goalkeeper Dave Richards.
Up until the sending off United were pushing for an equaliser in response to a poor first half.
Zac Sapsford finished sharply in the box only for the player who laid the ball to him, Julius Eskesen, to be flagged offside.
Then Ivan Dolcek was convinced he had been felled by Afeez Aremu when only 10 yards from goal, only for referee Duncan Nicolson to wave away his pleas for a penalty, a decision affirmed by the video assistant referee.
Overall, though, United were blunt in attack and slipped to a second consecutive defeat, with Aberdeen now just three points behind them with two games left as both seek to end the season as the best side in the bottom half.
