Aberdeen 0-1 Dundee United

The former Darlington striker inexplicably handled Craig Conway's corner at the start of the second half and Francisco Sandaza scored expertly from the penalty spot.

Aberdeen enjoyed the better of the chances but were once again booed off the park by their frustrated fans who have yet to see the Dons win at home this season.

Jimmy Calderwood made three changes to the Aberdeen team that lost to Hamilton last week with Zander Diamond returning to the centre of defence at the expense of Andrew Considine with Tommy Wright and Chris Maguire also starting for the Dons.

The game started at a frenetic pace with Aberdeen's Sone Aluko twice creating good crossing positions for himself but failing to get the ball past the first man on both occasions.

Aberdeen should have taken the lead after six minutes when Lee Miller won a free-kick 25 yards out. The former Dundee United striker decided to have a shot at goal himself and his effort was deflected into the path of Gary McDonald but the midfielder shot over the par with the goal gaping.

Mihael Kovacevic was struggling to cope with Aluko's pace and conceded a free-kick when he brought down the former Birmingham man.

Charlie Mulgrew took the resulting free-kick but Scott Severin headed over at the back post.

Dundee United ventured forward a couple of minutes later but Jon Daly could not find the target after racing on to a Craig Conway cross.

Aberdeen had another opportunity to test Zaluska after 19 minutes when Richard Foster won a free-kick in a promising position but Mulgrew's delivery was disappointing.

The Dons left-back delivered a better ball into the United penalty box from a corner in the 23rd minute but Lee Miller could not keep his header down.

At the other end, Richard Foster did brilliantly to head over his own crossbar after a cracking ball from Francisco Sandaza in the 27th minute.

Scott Robertson was unlucky to see a shot from the edge of the box fly high and wide of Jamie Langfield's left post six minutes later as Craig Levein's side began to offer slightly more in attack.

Mulgrew's cultured left foot was again called upon in the 38th minute but his dangerous corner was headed away bravely by Jon Daly under pressure from Tommy Wright.

Lee Wilkie picked up the first booking of the day when he needlessly tripped Lee Miller with five minutes of the half remaining.

A Charlie Mulgrew throw-in caused mayhem in the Dundee United box just before half-time. The ball fell kindly to Maguire but his effort was palmed away by Zaluska and when the ball eventually fell to McDonald he failed to steer his shot on target.

Dundee United started the second half well but were gifted the chance to take the lead by Wright's handball. Sandaza stepped up and sent Jamie Langfield the wrong way from the spot.

The visitors should have doubled their advantage when Sandaza, who had spurned a good opportunity of his own with a heavy touch a minute earlier, crossed for Daly but the Irishman could not keep his acrobatic effort down.

Wright's misery was ended after 60 minutes when he was replaced by Darren Mackie as Calderwood tried to galvanise his troops.

Mark Kerr, facing his old club for the first time, was booked for tripping Conway.

De Visscher came on for Aluko who looked to have picked up an injury and the Dons could have fond themselves further behind when Conway found Daly at the back post but the striker could not divert his shot goalwards.

Aberdeen began to mount a sustained attack on the Dundee United goal and De Visscher, whose earlier claims for a penalty when he fell theatrically in the box had been waved away, had a shot blocked well by Wilkie.

In the 75th minute, Derek Young came on for Chris Maguire as Jimmy Calderwood went for broke.

The Dons supporters were again claiming for a penalty after Scott Severin came off second best in a challenge with Sean Dillon but referee Calum Murray again waved play on.

Danny Swanson came on for Conway as time began to run out for Calderwood's team. The goalscoring hero Sandaza was then withdrawn for David Goodwillie, who was booked within minutes of coming on.

Garry Kenneth came on for Kovacevic late on.

Scott Robertson was booked for tripping De Visscher but Mulgrew's free-kick was too easy for Zaluska and the Arabs left Pittodrie with all three points.