A great away result for Killie today. Leven was dropped to the bench (and was not used!) and Danny left out altogether as JJ rang in the changes. Lilley managed 80 odd mins as he marshaled the Killie back line.  Killie were massive underdogs going into the match after last weeks Herats home loss, especially after knowing the Dons had three one goal wins over Killie in season 2004-05, but it's a new season!

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood was forced into a reshuffle after defender Andrew Considine picked up a thigh strain in training so Jamie Winter was drafted in.

Steve Lovell made his debut for the Dons after recovering from a stomach muscle strain to partner Jamie Smith up front.

Former Aberdeen defender David Lilley returned to shore up the defence while Johnston started in place of Peter Leven.

And the former Rangers and Hearts winger made an immediate impact, scoring inside the first minute.

A slack pass from Dons skipper Anderson allowed Allan Johnston to intercept and race away to slot the ball past goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

The home side came close when Chris Clark's powerful drive from a free-kick was parried high into the air by Alan Combe in the Kilmarnock goal.

Smith then found space 20 yards from goal to fire in a shot which flashed just past Combe's right-hand post.

But the Dons were back in the game when a blunder from Combe handed them an equaliser. Gary Dempsey swung in a corner from the left and, after Combe flapped at the ball, Anderson was left with the simple task of blasting the ball into the unguarded goal.

The Dons finished the half strongly and Combe had to look smart to push away a powerful drive from Smith.

Aberdeen midfielder Barry Nicholson volleyed a shot at goal from 10 yards out early in the second half but Combe held on to the shot.

A minute later, Combe denied Lovell a goal after he acrobatically stopped the striker's stooping header.

The Dons were struggling to get to grips with the elusive Johnston, who was causing them all sorts of problems.

In the 58th minute, he cut in from the right touchline and coasted past three Aberdeen players before seeing his weak effort blocked by Anderson.

Seven minutes later, he saw a volley from 25 yards flash past Esson's goal.

Kris Boyd should then have given a resurgent Killie the lead when he managed to get in behind a nervous looking Aberdeen backline.

But, under-pressure from Zander Diamond, his shot on goal from 10 yards went just wide.

Kilmarnock finally took advantage of the uncertainty in the Aberdeen defence. Johnston split the trio of Scott Severin, Anderson and Diamond with a clever through-ball to Stephen Naismith.  The young Killie striker was then able to run unchallenged for a full 25 yards before curling the ball past Esson with the minimum of fuss

Kilmarnock resorted to defending on their edge of the box for the remainder of the game and, although the home side threw everything at them in search of an equaliser, they failed to create a clear-cut chance on goal.

Sub Steven Craig went close with a shot from inside the box that was saved by the feet of Combe but Aberdeen just couldn't break through the stubborn Killie defending.

And 18-year-old goal hero Stephen Naismith was quick to heap praise on his team-mates at the other end of the park.

He said: ``Last week we were lacking as a team with some of the goals we lost.

``But all week in training we worked on the defensive side as a unit and it showed.

``Every time Aberdeen teed up for a shot we had three or four bodies right behind the ball.

``We came here knowing they'd attack and we just tried to catch them on the break - and did.

``Maybe we got a bit of luck with the first goal but it was a brilliant finish from Allan and I managed to stay onside for mine.

``I just went through and spotted the keeper coming out so I bent the ball round him". (above)

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