Aberdeen 0-0 Partick Thistle

Aberdeen moved to within seven points of Premiership leaders Celtic but a goalless draw with Partick Thistle all but ended the Dons' title hopes.

Lawrence Shankland had two early chances for the hosts but was too high with both.

Thistle's first-half substitute Lyle Taylor then missed two chances when clean through on goal.

Chances were at a premium after the break and Thistle created the better openings without managing to score.

It's a measure of how far the Dons have come under the stewardship of Derek McInnes that they remain unbeaten since October against teams other than the league leaders.

However, had Taylor shown more composure in front of goal then that record would have gone as the visitors created the better chances.

The Firhill club have now lost just one of their last five league matches ahead of their midweek meeting with Celtic.

Aberdeen handed Shankland a first starting appearance and the teenage striker quickly set about justifying the decision.

Shankland, who has scored 26 goals for the development side this season and claimed a double on his Scotland Under-21 debut against Hungary, was just inches away with a shot over the bar following Jonny Hayes' delivery.

The young striker also headed a Ryan Jack cross just over the top but those were rare moments of anxiety for the visitors in the opening period.

Alan Archibald's side quickly came to terms with their opponents and counter-attacked to good effect with Steven Lawless sending a hitch-kick volley narrowly wide.

Lyle Taylor had multiple chances to score for Partick Thistle

The Thistle manager was forced into an early alteration as lone striker Kris Doolan picked up a hamstring injury and Taylor came on.

The tall frontman's physicality caused the Dons defence problems but he could not make the most of that strength after creating two golden chances.

Within a minute of coming on he ran away from Aberdeen defender Ash Taylor but Jamie Langfield raced from his goal to block.

Then, striker Taylor was left one-on-one with Langfield again only to dink the ball over the goalkeeper and just wide.

The real surprise was that the Dons continued to be slack in possession and vulnerable at the back against a hard-working Thistle side who never let them settle into their normally fluent style.

In fact, it was the visitors who went closest to scoring in a frantic second half when James Craigen broke clear.

The midfielder's shot from the edge of the area was tipped over the bar by Langfield.