A chance for Killie to reduce the arrears as Kris Boyd plays a dummie and it fall into the path of Greg Taylor, but the young defender's left-foot effort fires wide of the far post.

Kris Boyd rises inside the penalty box under pressure, but the veteran striker's looping header from 12 yards goes well over the Dons crossbar.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes makes another change, with Nicky Maynard replacing scorer Stevie May up front.

Motherwell: Carson, Tait, Dunne, Kipré, Hartley, Cadden, Grimshaw, McHugh, Rose, Bowman, Moult.

Substitutes: Griffiths, Hammell, Frear, Fisher, Petravicius, Campbell, Tanner.

Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Simunovic, Boyata, Tierney, Forrest, Brown, McGregor, Armstrong, Sinclair, Dembele.

Substitutes: De Vries, Sviatchenko, Ajer, Ntcham, Roberts, Griffiths, Rogic

Eamonn Brophy holds off his marker inside the penalty box, but the Killie striker's shot on the turn is well blocked by goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Another change for the Dons, with midfielder Ryan Christie being replaced with striker Adam Rooney.

Christie has been impressive this season on loan from Celtic but has been fairly anonymous today.

Suddenly it is Aberdeen who are looking shaky and goalkeeper Joe Lewis sclaffs an attempted clearance straight to Kris Boyd, but the striker's shot is blocked.

Aberdeen boss responds immediately, bringing on defender Mark Reynolds for winger Gary Mackay-Steven.

It is the final throw of the dice from Steve Clarke as he replaces Lee Erwin with former Hamilton forward Eamonn Brophy.

Erwin has looked a pale shadow of the promising striker who left Motherwell for Leeds United.

Greg Taylor sets up Kris Boyd inside the Dons penalty box, but the striker's first-time effort flashes a couple of yards wide.

Billy Dodds
BBC Scotland summariser

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Steve Clarke has sacrificed width to accomondate two strikers as he tries to plot a way back into this.

That may pay dividends but does leave his side more exposed when Aberdeen have possession.

Kris Boyd is making a nuisance of himself since his introduction, but they're still unable to trouble Joe Lewis.

The desire is there, but Kilmarnock need more in the final third.

Killie haven't had many efforts on goal, but Alan Power fires a drive wide - all power but not enough direction.

Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis has not had a save to make so far.

Gary Dicker is beginning to make his mark with a couple of crunching tackles on Ryan Christie, the on-loan Celtic man who has been unusually quiet.

Meanwhile, Kris Boyd comes out on top in his first tackle against Graeme Shinnie, the Dons midfielder he controversially said was not good enough for his recent Scotland call-up.

After that whirlwind start to the second half, we at last have a chance to tell you about those half-time changes.

Kris Boyd has come on for Rory McKenzie up front, while fit-again Gary Dicker makes his first appearance of the season, replacing Adam Frizzell in midfield.

Their introduction hasn't changed much as yet it has to be said.

It's Greg Tansey's turn to whip a dangerous ball into the Kilmarnock penalty box, but there are no takers this time - either offside or onside.

The Dons go close again and this time and goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald has to produce a superb stop to turn a low Kenny McLean drive wide for a corner.

Aberdeen's Gary Mackay-Steven sends a low cross into the six-yard box and Stevie May pokes in from close range.

However, the flag was up before the winger delivered his pass.

TV pictures show the former Celtic man was not offside. May possibly was, though, so maybe justice was done, if only by mistake.