Former Aberdeen man Ricky Gillies gave St Mirren their first win over the Dons for 10 years when he completed the scoring in a 2-0 win over his old club.

Scott Walker had given the Paisley club a first half lead after 24 minutes at Love Street.

But there was some disappointment for the Buddies when goalkeeper Ludovic Roy failed to re-appear for the second half to be replaced by Derek Scrimgour.

The game began in driving rain and when Darren Young tried a 25-yard shot after just two minutes and St Mirren keeper Roy needed three attempts to control the ball.

Dons' keeper Ryan Esson had to come a long way for an Iain Nicolson cross, mis-punching the greasy ball away for a corner.

The visitors missed the first of several first-half chances after 11 minutes when Chris Clark set up Robbie Winters but the striker scooped his shot over the bar from eight yards.

Saints' Walker collected the game's first yellow card in 22 minutes but quickly made amends.

Two minutes later Nicolson swung in a cross, Mark Yardley got his head to it, then tried a shot as the ball dropped.

His mis-cue spun into the air and Walker arrived at the back post to head home.

But for almost the entire second quarter it was a case of Saints defending desperately as the visitors pressed.

Jamie McGowan cleared off his own line before Eoin Jess hit a post.

Saints' keeper Roy was limping badly but still made a brilliant one-handed stop from Derek Young and the home team survived until half time.

At the interval Roy gave way to Derek Scrimgour but suddenly Saints found their attacking form.

After 48 minutes, Esson saved a Gillies 20-yard drive and a minute later he turned another Gillies shot away for a corner.

Five minutes later, it was third time lucky for former Pittodrie misfit Gillies.

Nicolson's deep cross was turned back across goal by Yardley for Gillies to score Saints' second with a spectacular overhead kick.

Back came the Dons and on the hour Derek Young headed against a post. But Saints were now in charge, and this was a rare Aberdeen threat at this stage.

The visitors did finish strongly in the last 20 minutes with Scrimgour saving well from Winters and Derek Young hitting the crossbar from 22 yards.

But Saints were in no mood to surrender their lead, defending well and dangerous on the break.

German Jens Paeslack should have wrapped things up on an 80th minute breakaway but Esson saved well and Saints defended competently to grab three welcome points.