BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Premier | Aberdeen 2-0 Rangers

Scott Severin blasted in the opener from 30 yards after 20 minutes.

Steve Lovell added the second when Darren Mackie played the striker in behind the Rangers defence to flick the ball into the far corner of the net.

Rangers substitute Chris Burke fired against the Dons bar, but Aberdeen were worthy of an important victory.

The Dons had kicked off one point clear of Hearts in the Scottish Premier League.

Former Rangers midfielder Barry Nicholson had returned to the Dons starting line-up in place of Chris Clark after being suspended for last week's defeat at Celtic Park.

Rangers were without the injured Ugo Ehiogu, while Brahim Hemdani was absent due to a family bereavement.

Alan Hutton returned following suspension, while Gavin Rae was given his final appearance before leaving Ibrox in the summer.

Aberdeen looked the more committed from the kick-off but had failed to threaten Rangers' goal until Severin fired them into the lead after 20 minutes.

The midfielder's stunning half-volley flew past Allan McGregor after Rangers failed to properly clear from a corner.

The goal gave Aberdeen some extra fire and Lovell was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a late challenge on McGregor.

McGregor was also cautioned during the heated exchanges that followed.

Rangers striker Nacho Novo was also cautioned for a lunge on Russell Anderson as the Dons continued to be the more dangerous.

Lovell hooked a shot against the crossbar but soon after managed to get himself on the scoresheet.

Great link-up play between Mackie and Lovell on the left wing opened up a static Rangers rearguard and the latter showed great composure to deftly nudge the ball past a stranded McGregor from a tight angle.

Aberdeen's Michael Hart was next to be booked for a lunge on Kevin Thomson, with Charlie Adam flashing a free-kick wide from 20 yards.

Novo, in danger of being sent off, was replaced with Chris Burke at the break, but Aberdeen continued to be the better side at the start of the second half.

But Rangers started to dominate possession and a curling effort from Burke clipped the crossbar.

Lovell fired straight at McGregor after Burke was dispossessed on the edge of the Rangers box.

Hutton was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Hart, with Mackie following for his protests at the Rangers' defender's challenge.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Hart (Touzani 51), Anderson, Diamond, Foster, Jamie Smith, Severin (Considine 82), Nicholson, Mackie, Lovell, Miller (Brewster 51).
Subs Not Used: Soutar, Maguire, Paton, McVitie.

Booked: Lovell, Hart, Mackie.

Goals: Severin 21, Lovell 32.

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Papac, Murray, Rae, Ferguson, Thomson, Adam, Boyd (Lennon 63), Novo (Burke 46).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Webster, Sionko, Svensson, Shinnie.

Booked: McGregor, Novo, Boyd, Hutton.

Att: 20,010

Ref: C Thomson