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Aberdeen top the Scottish Premiership for the first time in almost a decade after Kevin Nisbet's dramatic stoppage-time winner at Ross County gave them a ninth win in nine games under Jimmy Thelin. Scotland international Nisbet, in his second appearance since signing on loan from Millwall, scored in the eighth minute of injury time. How it took so long is a mystery, given the number of close calls before then. County's Ronan Hale thought he had opened the scoring early in the first half when the ball ricocheted off his shin and trickled over the line. However, his good fortune was short-lived as VAR stepped in to rule the goal out for offside. And there would be further disappointment for the striker when Dimitar Mitov saved his second-half penalty. Aberdeen also had their moments, Slobadan Rubezic also being thwarted by VAR after he headed in a rebound from Vicente Besuijen’s free-kick. The winger's effort struck the bar and bounced on the line before Rubezic’s follow-up did the same and, although referee Euan Anderson gave the goal, a lengthy VAR check determined another offside. In the end, it didn't matter as Nisbet's composed finish ensured Aberdeen move above Celtic at the summit before the reigning champions play on Sunday. Everything you need to know about County Aberdeen news & views Who has your Premiership club brought in & let go? Bojan Miovski was never going to be an easy man to replace but Aberdeen’s new number nine Nisbet could be the answer. The 27-year-old was introduced as a first-half substitute, replacing Jamie Mc Grath who suffered a nasty head knock. That prompted a tactical change which saw Pape Gueye move out to the left wing and Ester Sokler drop back into the number 10 position, before being replaced by Vincente Besuijen at half-time. They immediately looked more of a threat and Nisbet netted his first in Aberdeen colours with a superb sweeping finish in the eighth minute of injury time. The Scotland international scored 27 goals in this division during his time at Hibs and if he can replicate similar form then the Dons might have found their Miovski replacement. County also lost their talismanic striker in the summer when Simon Murray moved to Dundee. The numbers tell you his goals have not been replaced. He scored 23 on his own last season and County have managed just one league goal this term. Hale was impressive during the League Cup group stages, but his last-minute equaliser against Dundee United three weeks ago is his and County’s only strike in the Premiership. He was incredibly unlucky to be denied twice here, first by a marginal offside and the second to an exceptional penalty save. However, Don Cowie needs his frontmen to catch fire if they are to avoid the drop again. Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I'm really disappointed for the group. It was a really good team performance on the back of last week. "It was a team that worked for each other, putting their bodies on the line and limited Aberdeen to very little. "So to concede so late is a bit of a sickener, but I saw plenty of positives. " Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: “We never give up. When Dimitar [Mitov] saved the penalty, that was a huge moment. "I'm happy for team and the support who made it an amazing atmosphere. They gave the players the energy to push right to the last minute. “But we need to stay humble. We can celebrate together today, but we have to keep working on Monday and focus on the next game. " Last Updated 31st August 2024 at 19: 50 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Don Cowie Formation: 5 - 3 - 2 Manager: Jimmy Thelin Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Premiership All competitions All competitions All competitions Ross County are winless in seven league meetings with Aberdeen (D3 L4) since winning 1-0 away from home in April 2022. Aberdeen have only lost one of their last 10 league visits to Ross County (W6 D3), and are unbeaten in five (W2 D3) since a 4-1 defeat in January 2021. Ross County are winless in six league games (D4 L2), while last time out against Rangers they suffered their joint-heaviest ever top-flight defeat (6-0, also 6-0 vs Celtic in October 2019). Aberdeen, along with Celtic, are one of two sides to win all three of their Scottish Premiership games so far this season. The last club other than Celtic to win each of their opening four matches of a season in the division were Hearts in 2018-19 (first 5), while Aberdeen last did so in 2017-18 (first 4). Aberdeen’s Jamie Mc Grath has more combined goals and assists (5 – 2 goals, 3 assists) than any player in the Scottish Premiership so far this season. His three assists are already his most ever in a single campaign in the competition. Match ends, Ross County 0, Aberdeen 1. Second Half ends, Ross County 0, Aberdeen 1. Attempt saved. Noah Chilvers (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Connor Randall. Substitution, Aberdeen. Jack Milne replaces Nicky Devlin because of an injury. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match (Aberdeen). Goal! Ross County 0, Aberdeen 1. Kevin Nisbet (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Shayden Morris with a cross. Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Akil Wright. Attempt blocked. Vicente Besuijen (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Gavin Molloy (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jordan White (Ross County). Fourth official has announced 9 minutes of added time. Offside, Ross County. Noah Chilvers is caught offside. Attempt missed. Noah Chilvers (Ross County) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by George Harmon following a set piece situation. Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen). Noah Chilvers (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Peter Ambrose (Aberdeen). Connor Randall (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Akil Wright. Substitution, Ross County. Jack Grieves replaces Joshua Nisbet. © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.