Killie became the latest team that failed to break down Aberdeen's stubborn defence in a frustrating afternoon as the Dons moved clear in second spot in the SPL thanks to James Fowler's own goal.
Ironically Fowler's only goal for Kilmarnock came at Pittodrie against Aberdeen.
Poor distribution was Killie's downfall and the lack of decent service meant that players such Kris Boyd, Allan Johnston and Danny Invincibile were not able to shine.
Aberdeen will count themselves unlucky not to be ahead at the interval after twice being denied by the woodwork in the opening ten minutes. The Dons also passed up the clearest chance of the half and were thwarted by a contentious refereeing decision, all in the first half-hour.
Steven Craig was first to see his effort bounce back from the upright in only the third minute and although Kevin McNaughton was given freedom to advance to the danger, he shot weakly. Craig stabbed at the ball and flicked it beyond Alan Combe but against the far post and clear.
The same post came to Killie's rescue six minutes later. This time Steve Tosh was given time in midfield to pick his pass and he found Richard Foster in space wide of the goal on the Aberdeen left.
He controlled the ball well and fired a powerful shot past Alan Combe but again the rebound from the upright fell kindly for the home side.
Kilmarnock's best early moment came in the 13th minute when Johnston stepped in from the left wing and measured a cross for Boyd. His lay-off gave Invincibile a shooting chance, but he blazed badly wide.
Derek Adams should have put Aberdeen in front in the 19th minute after he made a superb run from midfield. Michael Hart picked him out leaving Adams with only the keeper to beat, but Combe stood up well to the challenge and saved with his legs.
The Dons were furious ten minutes later when they broke away from a Killie corner. There were six red shirts raining down on two Killie defenders when Charlie Richmond stopped play as Gary Locke had taken a head knock from Boyd in the Aberdeen penalty box. Locke could not continue and was replaced by Stevie Murray.
Killie had the first chance of the second half when Boyd's head flick put Invincibile in behind the defence, but David Preece raced quickly from his line to smother his shot.
It was Aberdeen who took a deserved lead. Steve Tosh's powerful run took him past three defenders and his drilled cross was touched into his own net by the unfortunate Fowler.