Aberdeen dramatically earned back-to-back Scottish Premiership victories to move off the bottom of the table as substitute Marko Lazetic’s injury-time winner stunned St Mirren.
The three points end a near seven-year winless run in Paisley for the Pittodrie side as their 10-man hosts finally succumbed to a late onslaught.
The home side were clearly infuriated at being denied the opener when Alex Gogic netted but, after a video assistant referee (VAR) check, Dan Nlundulu was deemed to have interfered with play directly in front of goal in an offside position.
It got worse for the home side when Jayden Richardson, again after a VAR check, received a straight red card for a dangerous tackle.
Just when it seemed the home side had hung on for a point, Lazetic struck in the last of seven injury-time minutes. After gathering on the byeline he found the far corner from the tightest of angles to send the travelling support wild.
Both sides had earlier chances that may have settled it long before that frenetic finish. But as the game wore on Aberdeen came to the fore, no doubt aided by their numerical advantage.
Stuart Armstrong couldn’t convert for the visitors when a fortunate ricochet fell straight into his path with a clear sight of goal but Shamal George did superbly to deny him.
Alexander Jensen on the follow up somehow fired the follow up off target with the goal at his mercy.
Substitute Dante Polvara was superbly blocked as he looked likely to net right in front of goal but was denied by a last-ditch tackle.
If moments can set the course of a season, Aberdeen will hope Lazetic’s late winner will be the springboard they’ve been looking for.