Title challengers Aberdeen hosted relegation candidates St Mirren, and true to the form book this one was a write-off for the Paisley side.

The bookies gave Gary Teale’s men no hope as they made the journey up the A9, and they gave him even more to ponder once he took his seat in the stand to serve his one match touchline ban.

Red hot Adam Rooney sank Saints’ hopes of an upset when he put the hosts 2-0 up, before Mark Reynolds put the tie beyond doubt as he wrapped up proceedings at 3-0.

Aberdeen started off confidently and were clearly the side more likely to take the initiative as St Mirren set their stall out not to be beaten as opposed to collecting all three points.

Rooney could have had his side 1-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes following good work from Ryan Jack and Shay Logan down the right flank.

Logan’s floated ball put the Saints defence under pressure but the mercurial striker couldn’t get his header on target.

The Irishman then had a header hacked off the line by Saints youngster Stephen Mallan as the visitors clung on for dear life.

Survival looks a bleak prospect with Ross County’s recent upturn in form, and as the clock struck 3.21pm the death knell tolled for the Buddies as Rooney finally put the Dons ahead.

Pawlett flung the ball back into the box, Andy Considine headed it on, and this time Rooney prodded the ball home much to the dismay of Jim Goodwin who failed to repeat Mallan’s heroics on the line.

Half-chances came and went for the Buddies’ Jason Naismith and John McGinn, but when your lucks out then your lucks out, especially when you are at the wrong end of the table.

Half-time: Aberdeen 1-0 St Mirren.

To rub salt into the Paisley side’s wounds it was former Buddy Kenny McLean that played a vital role in doubling the Dons’ advantage as the second half kicked off.

Niall McGinn tore Saints apart down the left before crossing towards McLean to nod into the path of Adam Rooney, who once again blasted beyond Mark Ridgers as the hosts showcased a ruthless streak that explains their second placed league position.

Midway through the second half Derek McInnes’ side put the game beyond any doubt of the fantasists and romantics.

McLean’s whipped corner was met by the head of former Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds to power beyond Ridgers and end the tie as a contest.

The stats read eight shots for the Saints, one of which cleared the Merkland Road stand courtesy of the right boot of Jim Goodwin.

St Mirren must now turn their attention to Hamilton Accies this Saturday.

Martin Canning’s men will be looking to bag their first win under their new manager but the Buddies will be hoping for their first home league win of the campaign.

Aberdeen: Brown, Logan, Daniels, Reynolds, Considine, Jack, Flood (Robson 85), Pawlett (Goodwillie 69), McLean, McGinn, Rooney (Shankland 78).

Subs not used: Langfield, Robertson, Shaughnessy and Smith St Mirren: Ridgers, Naismith, McAusland (Baird 54), Tesselaar, Kelly, Goodwin, Mallan, Dayton (Sonupe 82), McLear (Wylde 61), McGinn, Arquin.

Subs not used: Kello, Osbourne, Gow and Thompson.

Attendance: 14,720.

Referee: Kevin Clancy.