ABERDEEN 4 ST J’STONE 1

Derek McInnes predicts an end- of-season climax like no other ahead of a top- six split with all to play for.

The Aberdeen boss watched his side draw level on points with second-placed Rangers thanks to Greg Stewart’s double, Ryan Christie’s strike and Stevie May’s first goal since November 26 which saw off St Johnstone.

Another impressive display from the Dons dismantled the Perth side.

And it’s only whetted McInnes’s appetite for the challenges ahead which continue at Motherwell on Tuesday.

He said: “I think the post - spl it fixtures are going to be the best we’ve had for many years. There’s going to loads of exciting f i x ture s with loads riding on them and some cracking games. Lewis Logan 7, O’Connor 7, McKenna 7, Considine 7, Shinnie McLean

Mackay-Steven Christie Stewart May

Reynolds Rooney Ball

Mannus Tanser Shaughnessey Anderson 5, Kerr Millar Davidson 6, Wotherspoon Kane

Craig Johnstone

Willock Alston Foster

“That’s the way the split was designed to be. Everyone apart from St Johnstone have so much to play for and will be fighting tooth and nail.

“We want to go into the top-six fixtures with any advantage we can and that now continues on Tuesday night at Motherwell. And if our form is as it can be then we’ll be right in among it.

“It’s difficult conditions and it was windy so there’s a lot going against both sets of players to bring a bit of quality. But credit to my players for not making it a difficult and untidy afternoon.

“They brought quality to the game and once we scored the first goal we were very good.

“We went in at half-time with a lead we deserved and to produce as much attacking play as we did was very exciting.

“I was pleased for Greg as he’s played his way into the team with his performances in training.

“Stevie May was as bright as a button and his goal will do him no harm.

“We take a lot of positives from a tough game.”

Blustery conditions and a heavilysanded pitch made for difficult conditions and getting the ball down came at a risk as it frequently bobbled out of play.

It was also bitterly cold and a painful watch during an opening 20 minutes that failed to provide much to warm those inside Pittodrie. But slowly it fired into life.

Only a Chris Millar strike from the edge of the area which was deflected over the top by Anthony O’Connor came close to threatening the goal. But Saints were enjoying a bright start.

Aberdeen’s first attempt came courtesy of a curling Ryan Christie effort that swerved past Allan Mannus’s right-hand post after Greg Stewart had combined with Stevie May to carve out the opening.

Murray Davidson then went into the book for a high challenge on Graeme Shinnie in a first- half flashpoint before Manus flapped at a Shinnie cross while under pressure from Ryan Christie.

Nobody could react for Aberdeen on the half- hour mark but just five minutes later- the Dons surged ahead.

It was from St Johnstone’s corner that Gary MackaySteven broke and slipped a terrific pass for Christie to run clear on Mannus.

He went round the keeper before slamming home a low shot from close-range.

It was a mome n t which at a stroke igni ted