By Sean Saranczuk
May 25 2003

Second-half goals from Darren Mackie and Steve Tosh gave Aberdeen a 2-0 victory at Dundee United.
The first-half was disappointing and finished goalless.

Mackie sent an early header into the arms of United goalkeeper Alan Combe. At the other end, Billy Dodds headed over after Jim McIntyre had flicked on a cross from Danny Griffin.

Aberdeen finished the half strongly but their finishing was wayward with Leigh Hinds, Paul Sheerin and Mackie all guilty of missing good opportunities.

Things had to improve and within six minutes they duly did when the diminutive Mackie gained height to plant an emphatic header past Combe after teenager Scott Morrison had picked him out in the box with a fine cross from the left.

Aberdeen were buoyed by the breakthrough and promptly doubled their lead in the 56th minute through Tosh, who beat two men on his way to the edge of the area.

The shot was straight at Combe, but the goalkeeper allowed the ball to slip through his gloves and bounce over the line.

United had a great chance to get back into the game when McIntyre put Stuart Duff clear but retiring Aberdeen goalkeeper and captain for the day Peter Kjaer saved from point-blank range.