A terrific display from Aberdeen proved too hot for Dundee to handle on a freezing cold day at Dens Park.
The Pittodrie team dominated the first half with their superb midfield and while the home team battled hard they never really looked like clawing their way back.
The Dons took the lead after only nine minutes when Niall McGinn shot home from 12 yards, with the low strike giving Dundee keeper Scott Bain no chance.
Paul Hartley’s side were being pinned back by the opposition but they should have had a golden chance to level on 16 minutes when Nicky Low was fouled by defender Andrew Considine.
Referee Bobby Madden initially let play go on but then pulled it back. Instead of awarding a penalty, though, he gave Dundee a freekick just outside the box when the offence had taken place inside the area.
The Dens men fell two behind after 25 minutes.
Dithering in a dangerous area by midfielder Paul McGowan encouraged Kenny McLean to come and take the ball off him and the Aberdeen man duly obliged.
He then played it to the busy Willo Flood, who fed Johnny Hayes on the right side of the box.
Hayes fired a low shot across the face of goal and Adam Rooney was there to score with a simple tap-in from a yard out.
It was sloppy play by the home team in general and McGowan in particular.
After the break, Kevin Holt missed a great chance for Dundee at the back post when he drilled the ball across the face of the Aberdeen goal and out.
Dons sub Peter Pawlett then rattled the home bar with a strike from inside the box.
Dark Blues’ frontman Kane Hemmings stung the hands of Aberdeen goalie Danny Ward with a vicous shot in the final minute but there was no further scoring and the away team headed back up the road happy with three points that edged them closer to leaders Celtic.