Ladbrokes Premiership

ABERDEEN 2

KILMARNOCK 1

DEFIANT Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark insists his side can beat the drop, despite suffering their third successive league defeat at Pittodrie.

But he was disappointed with their first half showing although felt they deserved to take something from the game.

The Dons had led through Ash Taylor before Josh Magennis levelled and Shay Logan sealed victory for the hosts midway through the second half.

Defeat leaving Killie five points behind third bottom Hamilton and eight clear of basement team Dundee United.

Clark had mixed emotions after the match and told the media afterwards: "I said to the players at half-time that they had wasted a half and played with a bit of fear. I'm just a bit frustrated because we in the end, we deserve something from the game. I said at half-time we weren't aggressive enough withoutt he ball and weren't aggressive with it. It was half hearted until the second half when we did it at full throttle. It shows ms me that there are positive and we can compete.

"I'm super confident that we will be fine come the end of the season. I enjoyed what we did in the second half and I didn't think we looked like a team sitting second bottom of the table."

The Dons began strongly and early on a Kenny McLean shot crashed off the inside of the post. before home goalie Jamie MacDonald showed his class with a vintage stop to keep out a Niall McGinn effort.

Aberdeen went ahead in 36 minutes when the unmarked Taylor headed home a Barry Robson cross.

Killie came out for the second half with real intent. And three minutes in they levelled with a well-worked goal as Rory McKenzie crossed for ex=Aberdeen striker Magennis to powerfully head home.

Then with 19 minutes remaining the home side went ahead to keep their title challenge alive as Johnny Haye swung over a precision cross and Logan sent a header beyond MacDonald and into the net.

STARMAN: Rory McKenzie 3

Greg Kiltie 2

Josh Magennis 1.