PITTODRIE is earning a reputation as a ground where European dreams come to die. After defeat of Hibs last weekend, Dundee United were the latest side to be bettered and while it may not have completely killed off the Tannadice side's hopes of finishing third it was a brutal blow.

Last weekend Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood was a notable absentee, abroad scouting talent, and whether that served as a reminder to those handed the strips at the moment that places are again up for grabs next season, they have managed to maintain their decent recent run of results. Having just sneaked into the top six, they have strung together a run of form which only the Old Firm can better.

They may still be chasing the coat tails of the likes of Hibs, Dundee United and Motherwell, but by losing just one of the past six league games Aberdeen went into the match still harbouring slim hopes that they can play their way into contention for third place. Even with another victory in this game, it looks like they have left it too late but, given the outcome of last weekend's head to head with Hibs and yesterday's tussle, they have proved they will still have a say in who does end up best of the rest.

Since Craig Levein's arrival at Tannadice, Calderwood's Aberdeen have struggled in this New Firm derby, losing five of the six encounters and on early evidence the trend was not going to be shunted. Looking comfortable in midfield, the visitors were in control throughout the opening spell, carving out a chance for Lee Wilkie before Andrew Considine's short passback gave Noel Hunt something to chase down, but a tweak here and there, followed by some sweeping formation changes by the home side, and suddenly the area was deluged by players in red.

Still United seemed to possess the greater class and wherewithal. Until Aberdeen scored. The opening goal, in the 30th minute, came slightly against the run of play but when they were afforded their opportunity, they made sure they were more clinical than their opponents. Bursting forward from the middle of the park, Barry Nicholson created a shooting angle for himself, cutting in from the right. His stinging drive was parried by Lukasz Zaluska but only into the path of Richard Foster and, before the Polish goalkeeper could recover or any of the United rearguard could scurry out to block, he had skelped a searing drive low into the United net.

It imbued the home side with belief and they seemed to find more energy and greater resolve, chasing down second balls and stifling the creative forces in United's midfield. After a season blighted by inconsistency, this was one of their more committed afternoons.

In a pretty even match there were still opportunities for United to level matters. In the 33rd minute, Willo Flood cut the ball back to Danny Grainger and his ball into the box was met by the head of Wilkie, but Jamie Langfield was able to save. Then Mark Kerr and Danny Swanson lashed in shots narrowly wide of target. But, outnumbered in midfield and with Mark De Vries a less than mobile target, the routes to goal were steadily becoming blocked off.

Five minutes of the first half remained when play was held up. The suggestion was that United fans, who were accused of throwing objects on to the field in the CIS Cup semi final between these two teams, were up to no good. As a throw-in was about to be taken, the assistant referee patrolling the area of the pitch in front of the visiting fans summoned the referee, who in turn spoke with his fourth official. Extra police arrived on the scene and play resumed.

United almost cancelled out Foster's opener in the dying minutes of the first half. Grainger again swung the ball into the Aberdeen box but Karim Touzani cleared Hunt's goalbound effort. United made a change at the start of the second half with Johnny Russell coming on in place of Hunt but despite altering their attacking options, it was their hosts who got the next goal. Two minutes after the restart Jeffrey De Visscher swung a corner in beyond the main throng and, as it dropped, Touzani bundled it over the line.

Less than a minute later, Danny Swanson burst past three Aberdeen players to send a right-foot shot low into Langfield's net. The deficit was back to one.

But it was still one too many as a far as United and possibly even their European aspirations were concerned, with two games against the Old Firm pair to finish off their season and Motherwell still a point ahead of them with games in hand. As they chased something from the match the play opened up and there were efforts at both ends, Lee Miller amassing and missing with a hat-trick of chances. But come the final whistle, the biggest chance of all had been squandered by United. This had been their opportunity to leapfrog Motherwell and exert real pressure. They failed to take it.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Richard Foster was a contender as was Karim Touzani, but Barry Nicholson epitomised the Aberdeen spirit and determination and refused to be overwhelmed by Dundee United.

QUICK FACT

There was a marked lack of personnel in the Aberdeen technical area. Due to mounting suspension and injury problems, the home side were only able to list five substitutes, rather than the permitted seven.

TALKING POINT

Was it pre-planned? Indecision or tactical awareness? Aberdeen changed their formation three times within the first 12 minutes. They seemed to settle on three at the back and let's just call it a fairly a fluid formation ahead of them, with Miller as the targetman.