Motherwell 0 Aberdeen 1

Adam Rooney's double moved Aberdeen four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they beat Motherwell 2-0 at Fir Park. Rooney scored in each half to secure Aberdeen's seventh consecutive league win and put more pressure on Celtic ahead of the champions' trip to Kilmarnock on Monday night. The Irishman opened the scoring in the 36th minute after some poor defensive work from Motherwell, who did not get going as an attacking force until the final quarter. Even then they could not seriously trouble Dons goalkeeper Scott Brown and David Goodwillie missed two sitters before Rooney netted a controversial 89th-minute penalty. The award came when Willie Collum, who was under fire for giving three soft spot-kicks when Kilmarnock and St Mirren met on New Year's Day, sent off Stephen McManus for deliberate handball to end Motherwell's comeback hopes. The Dons were unchanged after going top with victory over St Johnstone and had fit-again midfielders Willo Flood and Barry Robson on the bench. With eight players out injured, Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough was restricted to enforced changes following their 5-0 thrashing by Hamilton. Luke Watt, a 17-year-old right-footed defender, came in for his debut at left-back in place of Steven Hammell, while Mark O'Brien returned for the injured Simon Ramsden. Watt's early slip allowed Goodwillie a shot, but Dan Twardzik saved and the Dons continued to make the early running. Rooney headed wide from Niall McGinn's cross and David Goodwillie took a fresh-air swipe as the visitors continued to push Motherwell back. Henrik Ojamaa was at the heart of any positivity from Motherwell and he fired not far wide from 25 yards. The hosts were enjoying their best spell of the half when they were punished for a misplaced pass. Fraser Kerr gave the ball straight to Goodwillie as he attempted to to pass it down the right wing to Lionel Ainsworth and the Scotland cap played the ball over the top for Rooney. With McManus stepping up in a poor attempt to play Rooney offside, the Irishman had all the time he needed to drill the ball inside the far post with his left foot. McGinn fired off the bar from 25 yards as Aberdeen looked to finish off their opponents before half-time. Aberdeen remained in control with Motherwell unable to pose any threat and O'Brien was reduced to a wild hack on McGinn on the halfway line to stop a Dons counter-attack on the hour mark. Collum showed him a yellow card, but the centre-back could have had few complaints if the colour was red. Aberdeen came close to extending their lead in the 66th miniute when Andrew Considine headed Peter Pawlett's cross off a post before Twardzik blocked Rooney's follow-up and Pawlett headed wide moments later. Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough made a double switch with 20 minutes left, with Lee Erwin and Dom Thomas on, and the change had an immediate impact, with the latter especially giving Motherwell a spark with his skill and eagerness to get on the ball. Ojamaa got several shots on target, but Brown was untroubled and Goodwillie twice had great chances to put the game to bed after being played through by Jack, but missed the target each time. The visitors got their second after McManus blocked Jonny Hayes' shot on the line after Twardzik had spilled McGinn's cross. The ball seemed to hit the defender's shoulder, but Collum dished out his fourth penalty and third red card of 2015 and Rooney sent Twardzik the wrong way from the spot to the delight of the 1,700 visiting fans.