An Alex di Rocco strike was enough to give Aberdeen the interval advantage in a closely fought game at Dundee.

They may have been the visiting team but it took Aberdeen just one minute to break down the home defence.

Arild Stavrum burst clear into the 18-yard box before firing a shot that looked netbound until Steven Tweed's goalline clearance.

The Dens Park side retaliated two minutes later when Bato Carranza's pass found Claudio Caniggia.

The Argentinian hitman turned the Dons defence before unleashing a shot but the effort was held by goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

But the breakthrough came when Thomas Solberg tried to send the ball through to Alex di Rocco but was blocked by Tweed.

The Dundee player miskicked and di Rocco pounced to slot the opener past goalkeeper Marco Roccati.

Aberdeen were visibly boosted by di Rocco's goal and continued to push forward in a bid to increase their lead.

Robbie Winters' cross found Stavrum after 20 minutes but the header was just wide.

Six minutes later Stavrum was threatening the Dundee goal again, this time picking up a di Rocco cross only to send the ball over the crossbar.

On the half-hour mark Juan Sara saw a close-range shot blocked by the goalkeeper and Caniggia almost managed to nod home the rebound.

The Argentinian claimed he had been fouled by Solberg and was eventually booked for his protest.

After 36 minutes the combination of Caniggia and Sara was causing problems for Aberdeen again.

Caniggia's cross pinpointed Sara in front of goal but he nodded off target.

Just a few minutes later Sara had another great chance to level the scores but his time he sent the ball wide.

Right on the half-time whistle Tweed became the second Dundee player to be booked when he was cautioned for a foul on David Rowson.