But they were not put off their stride and had the first chance of the match as they broke through Ian Harkes after nine minutes. His pass saw Scotland striker Shankland cut inside Tommie Hoban before crashing an effort back off the bar.

Aberdeen would have the bulk of the chances, and were left rueing a number of opportunities passed up.

Wales international Ryan Hedges was instrumental, and he had a reasonable shout for a penalty as he seemed to be nudged off the ball as he jinked his way into the area, but referee Kevin Clancy was unmoved.

Hedges saw a deflected right-foot effort saved by United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegriest at the midway point of the first half, and he sent a left-footed strike wide of the target 15 minutes later.

It was his corner that saw Andrew Considine head over just before the interval as Aberdeen continued to look for a breakthrough, but United could have opened the scoring with the final kick of the half as Shankland hit over from a decent position.

Shankland was involved again shortly after the break as he got in behind Ash Taylor's missed interception but pulled his shot, and Considine averted the danger. Not for long, though, as Jamie Robson immediately fired a right-foot shot past the upright.

But although the visitors were seeing more of the ball, they were struggling to test Joe Lewis who, to this point, had not had a save to make.

Aberdeen were also struggling to create clear-cut openings and Hoban would have been disappointed to head over from a Jonny Hayes cross after 75 minutes.

Shankland had another effort in the dying stages of the match. His right-footed effort from the edge of the area seemed to be sneaking inside Lewis' left-hand upright, but the goalkeeper stuck up a hand to send the effort round the post.