Partick Thistle 3-4 Aberdeen

Adam Rooney's header maintained Aberdeen's winning start to the Scottish Premiership season at the expense of winless Partick Thistle.

Chris Erskine and Kris Doolan put Thistle ahead after Ryan Christie's opener, but Kenny McLean levelled from the penalty spot.

Scott Wright, with a fine curling effort, then Niall Keown both netted.

But substitute Rooney nodded home Christie's cross to send the Dons top of the league.

Keown was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time to compound Thistle's misery.

The Dons have now won all four of their opening league fixtures, and sit at the Premiership summit with 12 points from 12, while the Jags are still seeking their first points of the season.

Having won on their five previous visits to Firhill, including a 6-0 thumping last time round, Aberdeen had every right to approach the game confidently.

Indeed Stevie May had tested Tomas Cerny before 20 seconds had elapsed as Derek McInnes's side began the game purposefully.

Kris Doolan prodded Thistle in front after a save from Joe Lewis

Thistle failed to heed that warning though and with the home defence dozing, Christie was able to collect Greg Stewart's pass and turn the ball past the keeper with the minimum of fuss.

That start must have alarmed Alan Archibald but his side's response was immediate.

Erskine created a bit of room just outside the penalty area and although he didn't strike the ball cleanly, it crept beyond the diving Joe Lewis and into the bottom corner.

And the home fans' angst turned to delight shortly afterwards when Doolan pounced on a loose ball inside the six-yard box.

There was a lull following that flurry of early action, but the game once again sprung to life when Christie went down under a needless shove from Stuart Bannigan and McLean sent Cerny the wrong way from the spot.

Adam Rooney dived to glance home a brilliant swerving cross from Ryan Christie

There was no let-up in the excitement after the interval and Wright, who scored a hat-trick here in May, again gave notice of his burgeoning talent with a goal of supreme quality, curling the ball over Cerny from the angle of the penalty area.

But Thistle's response was swift once more and Keown headed them level from Blair Spittal's corner.

McInnes was desperate for all three points to preserve their 100 per-cent record and threw on Rooney alongside May up front.

Cruel as it must have felt for Thistle, Aberdeen were rewarded for their valour as the Irishman glanced a Christie cross beyond Cerny.

Adam Rooney dived to glance home a brilliant swerving cross from Ryan Christie

Thistle were angered on a number of occasions by the decision-making of referee Bobby Madden but he had little option other than to show a late second yellow to Keown for a reckless foul on McLean.

The home side remain pointless but can take some solace from their contribution to a fabulous game of football.