Aberdeen Res 1 St Mirren Res 2

Lovell 9; Birchall 23, 55 mins

The Dons second string went down 2-1 this afternoon at Pittodrie against league leaders St Mirren. Steve Lovell had given Aberdeen the lead but two goals from Trinidad and Tobago internationalist Chris Birchall gave the Paisley side the points and condemned the Dons to only their second defeat of the campaign.

Sandy Clark once again had a strong squad to pick from. In a 4-4-2 formation Derek Soutar was fit again and started in goal, Karim Touzani lined up in centre defence alongside Richie Byrne with youngsters Jonathan Crawford and Stuart Smith filling in the full back roles. David Ross played wide right, McVitie and McNamara were paired in the centre of midfield and Michael Paton wide left. Jonathan Smith had recovered from a recent knock to partner Steve Lovell up front.

The Dons, playing their first reserve match at Pittodrie for years started brightly and after three minutes David Ross produced a fine run down the right. He played the ball inside to Neil McVitie and his shot from the edge of the box just went wide of the post. Just like the Youth Cup game at Pittodrie on Sunday, the Dons went ahead after 9 minutes. This time though, Michael Paton who scored four first half goals, was the goal provider. After a fine move down the left he played a superb ball into space for Lovell to run onto. The striker still had quite a bit to do but produced a lovely finish to give Paul Mathers no chance.

St Mirren eventually started to get going and after a good move left back Ryan McCay blasted just over. The visitors then enjoyed a period of territorial control and after 23 minutes scored a deserved equaliser. A fine cross field pass and poor defending found Chris Birchall in space inside the box. The midfielder calmly placed the ball past the helpless Soutar.

Neither team then managed to get any real attacks going and the game was littered with free kicks and scrappy play.

In the last 10 minutes the Dons started to finally get their passing going. On the stoke of half time David Ross put in a decent cross. The ball broke to Lovell who finished superbly again but the goal was ruled out for offside. The English striker looked bemused by the decision.

In the second half Aberdeen again started the half brightly. Jonathan Smith had a free header inside the box but was unable to get enough power on his header as he was a fair distance out. The Paisley side then took the lead on 55 mins. The Dons defence failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to the Birchall who fired a superb first time shot past Soutar. Birchall, who is on loan from Coventry City impressed throughout.

On the hour mark Sandy Clark decided to change it. Ryan Strachan replaced David Ross. Strachan went into his usual central defensive position with Karim Touzani moving into centre midfield and Neil McVitie to right midfield. And then Lamberty replaced Jonathan Smith. The changes eventually started to give Aberdeen some control of the game in the middle of the park and after 75 mins the Dons best passing move of the game finished with skipper McNamara playing the ball through to Lovell but from a tight angle he could only shoot straight at the keeper.

On 85 minutes McNamara sent a free kick inches past. Then as the Dons pushed forward they were caught out at the back and Mark Corcoran really should have scored but Strachan was able to get back and block his shot. The Dons then played ping ball inside the St Mirren box but the ball would just not break to a red jersey. Aberdeen continued to push for a equaliser but ran out of steam and St Mirren looked the more likely team to score at the end.

Sandy Clark spoke with RedWeb after the game. "I was disappointed with the goals we lost. We got in front with a good goal from Steve but then let them back in it. There was not much between the teams but the mistakes were the difference. We then had to chase the game which makes you venerable at the back. We push hard at the end but they did not make any mistakes as we had done.

"One of the positives to come out of the game was the performance of some of our younger players. Johnny Crawford and Stuart Smith both did well. They are a decent side and have a lot of experience in the team but we should still have been able to perform better."

Team: Soutar, Crawford, Stu Smith, McNamara, Touzani, Byrne, Paton, McVitie, Lovell, Jon Smith (Lamberty 67), Ross (Strachan 61) Unused Subs - Kelly, Skinner, Carroll.

St Mirren - Mathers, Reid, McCay, Potter, McAusland, Molloy, Birchall, McGinn, Docherty, O'Donnell, Corcoran Subs Stewart, Rawcliffe, McShane, Craighton