Kris Boyd's dismissal was the main talking point as Aberdeen's Greg Stewart faced his old side Kilmarnock as two of the Ladbrokes Premiership's top sides played out a 0-0 draw at Pittodrie.

Both sides lost ground on leaders Celtic in a game which saw the build-up dominated by Stewart who had been recalled from his loan at Kilmarnock by Birmingham only to then join Aberdeen until the end of the season.

Killie striker Boyd was sent of after 82 minutes, the former Rangers man shown a straight red card for his late challenge on Graeme Shinnie.

The two sides mostly stifled each other during the first half, with Sam Cosgrove blazing two near-identical chances over the crossbar in the opening 20 minutes, but neither ever really looking a threat.

It was the 39th minute before a Stevie May drive from 20 yards had Daniel Bachmann diving full-stretch to his left to turn round the post. It was the first shot on target either side had mustered and it probably deserved a goal.

Stewart also had a strike from outside the area two minutes from the interval, but Bachmann was this time able to gather more comfortably.

And the Dons' number seven arguably came closer with a left-foot shot after 51 minutes, but this time his low effort, again from outside the area, was narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Despite Kilmarnock introducing attackers Boyd and Rory McKenzie, Aberdeen still looked the more likely to break the deadlock, although the visitors continued to restrict them to long-range efforts, with Lewis Ferguson next to hit over the crossbar.

The Dons were dealt a blow with influential defender Scott McKenna limping off with 12 minutes remaining but Boyd's red card gave them the opportunity to press, with on-loan Manchester United striker James Wilson entering the fray.

Stewart saw a header blocked on the line after a Niall McGinn corner in the final minute, but the Dons were unable to turn their numerical advantage into the three points that would have moved them into second place.