Aberdeen found a way to win against Dundee at Dens Park.
Similar performances of such solidity will be required in the Premiership’s post-split fixtures as the Dons look to secure a European spot.
Saturday’s 2-0 success in the City of Discovery was a convincing win for the Reds in the end, even if it was a bit of a trawl to get there.
Once the first goal went in the game was all over really, and the second was always going to come after that.
Towards the end there could have been more for Aberdeen as Dundee crumbled.
By that stage the fight had been taken out of them – they are in a difficult situation and when you are down at the bottom of the table you put a lot of work in to frustrate the opposition.
Jim McIntyre’s side did that and were difficult to play against in the first half. In the first 10 minutes of the second half they looked quite positive, but unfortunately for teams like them once you open up against Aberdeen you get hit at the other end.
The Dons’ first goal was a classic counter-attack, which led to the penalty which Sam Cosgrove converted.
After that the Reds controlled proceedings and you could see why Dundee are at the bottom of the league.
Players don’t do it deliberately but when you are in Dee’s position and you put a lot of work into the game, if the first goal goes against you heads start to go down.
That was what happened after the opener and the outcome was never really in doubt after that.
At times during this season there has been issues with form and injury for Aberdeen.
Looking at the creative players, Gary Mackay-Steven has been out for a long time, and Niall McGinn and Greg Stewart have also been bothered by niggles.
Connor McLennan has looked the most potent of the creative players at various stages of the campaign and he produced more good work to create the second goal for Cosgrove on Saturday.
It’s now two wins in a row for the Dons and it keeps them level on points with third-placed Kilmarnock.
In the final five league games Aberdeen will look to secure a Europa League place for the sixth straight season.
Sometimes Derek McInnes’ side have been winning without being at the top of their game – but there’s nothing wrong with that.
Over the course of a season you can’t always be brilliant, so it’s about having a grit and determination in the ranks and managing to find ways to win.
That might be what is required from the Dons in the closing stages of campaign, where they produce controlled displays like the one against Dundee to get the job done. Aberdeen are still very much in the running for a European spot and they will be hoping to cap that off by reaching the Scottish Cup final as well.
The Reds have had some games where they have given away more goals than they would expect.
But the defence has shown as well that they can be solid and keep things tight at the back.
Going into the final five games they have found a solidity and a way to win, which could be crucial in trying to qualify for Europe and win the Scottish Cup.
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