Stuart Armstrong’s first-half goal gives Aberdeen victory at Kilmarnock

Stuart Armstrong’s first Aberdeen goal continued a mini-revival for Jimmy Thelin as the Dons moved up to 10th in the William Hill Premiership.

The former Scotland international scored in the 18th minute at Rugby Park to give the visitors a 1-0 win, a third league victory in four matches.

The much-maligned Aberdeen back line then held firm despite sustained pressure to gain a confidence-boosting clean sheet.

The Dons were joint-top of the table at this stage last year but their league form dropped away after the autumn and Thelin was under pressure after a dreadful start to this season.

However, this gutsy effort gives the Swedish coach a big win and breathing space, moving them four points clear of bottom club Livingston.

Emergency loan goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi replaced Eddie Beach for his Kilmarnock debut.

The 22-year-old from Celtic sped out smartly in the ninth minute to smother at the feet of Alexander Jensen as the Dane darted through on goal.

Defensive injuries have hit Killie hard with number one keeper Max Stryjek out for months with a health issue and Jamie Brandon and Lewis Mayo also missing.

There was an inquest in the makeshift back line after the visitors made their decisive breakthrough.

Jesper Karlsson bustled in off the left to fire an ambitious long-range effort at goal. Robbie Deas blocked with his right boot but only succeeded in sending the ball spinning over his own head. Oluwayemi stayed put and there was no Killie defender to pick up the pieces either, with Armstrong’s excellent anticipation enabling him to sidefoot home.

Kilmarnock saw plenty of the ball in their bid to reply.

Greg Kiltie twice tested Dimitar Mitov while Marcus Dackers flashed a header wide from a corner.

Aberdeen, with Marko Lazetic a real handful at the point of attack, were a danger on the break.

Oluwayemi batted away a swerving drive from Dante Polvara just before the interval.

Deas missed a glorious chance to level two minutes after the break. The defender was completely unmarked at the back post to meet Dom Thompson’s corner but blazed over.

Deas did find the net moments later, forcing home after Ben Brannan’s shot was blocked. However, an offside flag – confirmed by VAR – frustrated Killie once again.

Kettlewell sent on Bruce Armstrong for Liam Polworth in an attacking switch but it was centre-half Deas who came close to an equaliser, only for Mitov to block on the line.

Killie never stopped trying to craft a vital opening and with 14 minutes remaining, Dackers ghosted across the penalty box to connect with Brannan’s cross and skim the outside of the far post.

Dons’ defenders hurled themselves in the way of Kilmarnock shots and came through six minutes of stoppage-time.