Aberdeen 3 - 1 Falkirk

Only 8,871 spectators turned out for the game, well below Pittodrie's average gate. Aberdeen's experienced duo, Alex McLeish and Roy Aitken, returned to duty after injury and suspension. Brian Grant was involved twice in the early stages, firstly when his pass for Duncan Shearer was well intercepted by Westwater and then his right-wing cross enabled Shearer to head for goal only for the keeper to save. Falkirk threatened when McAllister sent Lennox clear but Gary Smith made a timely tackle. The Dons resumed their offensive with Stephen Wright driving a low ball across goal. Eoin Jess controlled the ball and turned to fire in a powerful shot which McLaughlin did well to block to safety. When Sloan broke clear on the left skipper McLeish recovered brilliantly to divert the ball for a corner. McLeish completed his good work by convincingly heading clear the corner kick despite the challenge of McLaughlin. The Dons took the lead seconds later when Wright found Jess at the near post and he flicked up the ball skillfully and drove a hard shot which Westwater did well to parry. Jess slammed in the rebound. The youngster seemed to be "in the mood" and he almost scored his second goal when his effort scraped past the post. Aberdeen were shocked when the equaliser arrived. McAllister and Duffy combined on the right and Sloan met the cross to send a magnificent 14 yard volley past Theo Snelders. This gave a boost to the visitors and there was now very little to choose between the two teams. The Dons continued to probe the Falkirk defence at regular intervals with Grant and Aitken doing much of the prompting. Another of Wright's crosses found Mixu Paatelainen but his header was well saved. McAllister caused panic when he went on a superb 40 yard run before sending a fast, rising shot from 20 yards narrowly over the crossbar. The half ended with Lee Richardson's free kick drifting just past.

Half Time 1-1

Aberdeen seemed determined to be the dominant side and Jess beat three defenders and skipped the ball to Wright, whose cross gave Paatelainen a chance which he could not quite take. Wright was becoming increasingly prominent with his surging forays on the right. Shearer and Jess were the recipients of a couple of Wright's crosses but they failed to take advantage. In a breakaway an outstanding sliding tackle by Smith halted McAllister as he bore down on goal. The Dons took the lead in 56 minutes when Richardson took a pass from David Winnie and crossed to Paatelainen who guided a low shot into the net from 10 yards. The ever-lively McAllister tried a swift response but his shot was confidently saved by Snelders. The Dons then claimed a penalty when McLaughlin pushed Shearer in the back. The home side made two substitutions within a few minutes of each other - Paul Mason replacing Grant and Scott Booth coming on for Shearer. Booth was immediately involved and was unlucky to see a neat, calculated shot drop just over the bar. He was luckier in the 79th minute when Mason crossed for Paatelainen to head powerfully towards goal and Booth flicked the ball into the net from 6 yards. The Dons were now well on top and Richardson's 18 yard shot sped narrowly wide. Paatelainen then smashed a first time shot from 15 yards against the base of the post.

Source: Match Programme, 4th May 1996