Aberdeen surged into a half time lead against Dunfermline with a well-crafted goal by Arild Stavrum, his 14th goal of the season.

It was reasonably entertaining fare in the opening half, despite both sides' position in the wrong half of the table.

In the first minute, it was Aberdeen who worked out a positive move when Robbie Winters sent Stavrum through on the right, and although the Norwegian striker out-paced the Pars defence his shot was smothered well by keeper Marco Ruitenbeek.

A few minutes later, Aberdeen sustained their pressure which culminated in Darren Young screwing a shot wide from 22 yards, before Dunfermline managed to inch their way into affairs.

Jamie McAllister was caught napping when he was dispossessed by Lee Bullen on the edge of the penalty area but had Ryan Esson to thank when he brilliantly palmed the big striker's shot for a corner.

Dunfermline however almost shot themselves in the foot when defender Michel Doesburg nearly headed into his own net when attempting to clear Kevin McNaughton's cross after 10 minutes.

Yet, Dunfermline almost surprised Pittodrie side when suddenly Barry Nicholson had plenty of time and space to score inside the area, only to be denied by Esson.

However, Aberdeen settled their nerves when they went one up in the 29th minute when Stavrum was on hand to turn Chris Clark's low cross into the roof of the net from close range.

hen in the 31st minute the Dons opened the scoring. Chris Clark crossed from the right and Stavrum drove into the roof of the net from six yards.

Following Stavrum's strike, his 14th of the season so far, Aberdeen began to play with more confidence and composure.

In the 36th minute they really should have gone two ahead after an intelligent move from Winters' free kick which picked out Stavrum on the right, and from his cut back Darren Young only managed to blaze over the crossbar when Pars should have been punished.