Aberdeen are on course to move level on points with Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic as an Adam Rooney strike has given them a 1-0 half-time lead over Ross County.
The home side started on the front foot and fired an early warning shot when new signing Kenny McLean picked out Rooney inside the box, only for the striker to shoot wide.
McLean looked fired up on his debut and almost got his name on the scoresheet in the 11th minute as his shot from the right was saved by Staggies goalkeeper Antonio Reguero.
Reguero was at fault one minute later when the Dons took the lead, fumbling a cross from Jonny Hayes to allow Rooney an easy tap in.
The home support cried out for a penalty on the stroke of half time when Shay Logan went over in the area, but referee Craig Thomson waved away the Aberdeen's protests and the scoreline remained 1-0 come the interval.
