Title bid needs a miracle; Williamson fears the worst as Aberdeen

67min Mahood 44min Jess, 46min Mayer

ABERDEEN 2 - 1 Kilmarnock THE death throes of a failed championship bid make for painful viewing. Perhaps Kilmarnock can yet be rescued from intensive care, but the prognosis is bleak and their campaign has been reduced to its last legs. Any belief that their challenge can last the pace has gone.

The damage Ayr inflicted on their neighbours was not confined to the 90 minutes of their Scottish Cup tie last month. It has had a lingering effect on manager Bobby Williamson's team. They were lifeless at Pittodrie, unable to grip or control midfield and were vulnerable in defence. Their impressive achievements through the first half of the season have not been sufficient to take them clear of the Old Firm. Dropping five points from six, as they have since the season resumed, has been devastating. Throw in the absence of Jerome Vareille and Gary Holt and their propects look bleak. "Our season is not finished yet," countered Williamson. His weary expression and body language told a different story. "We have to try to keep fighting and try to finish better than we did last year." So it's down to that after such a magnificent few months. Whatever the extent of Aberdeen's decline over the last four years, it remains far from a disgrace to lose at Pittodrie. Eoin Jess continues to relay messages of his progress to Scotland manager Craig Brown via goals. For the second consecutive week he was on target to take his total to 13 for the season. His opening goal came too late to enliven a dreary first half. A clever run into space in the inside right channel allowed Jess to gather Darren Young's low pass before he touched a low right foot shot across Gordon Marshall and in off the post. There had been neat interplay from Aberdeen in the opening spell but they remain unconvincing. Often only one blow is required to derail the Dons. But not this time. Ian Durrant floated a 25-yard free-kick just wide of the post but even he was rather subdued and having conceded a goal a minute before half-time, Kilmarnock were even further behind 60 seconds after the restart. Mike Newell crossed and Andreas Mayer, the German midfielder, nodded a looping header which caught Marshall off his line. McCoist fired in a shot which brought a diving save from Leighton and when Alan Mahood struck the crossbar from the rebound it seemed the result was secure. Mahood had more to contribute, though, as he latched on to a John Inglis header to smack a 25-yard shot beyond Leighton. There was no more from Kilmarnock and Aberdeen had two late chances to inflict further pain. Mark Perry had a close range header saved before Durrant cleared a Jess shot off the goal line. But at 2-1 the damage was done. Aberdeen manager Paul Hegarty said: "I am happy for the players. They have been magnificent for me since I took over, even though there have been some adverse results." Kilmarnock lie nine points behind a Rangers side expected to secure three more points at Dunfermline this evening. As he takes in events at East End Park, Williamson is pining his faint title hopes on an upset. He must hope everyone is right and this is no ordinary Sunday.

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