Niall McGinn scored twice as Aberdeen beat St Johnstone 2-0 at a storm-lashed Pittodrie in the SPL on Saturday.
The Dons were profligate in the first half, with McGinn twice denied by Alan Mannus, before the Northern Irishman scored from a free-kick after 63 minutes.
McGinn's 11th of the season followed after 81 minutes as Aberdeen defied incessant horizontal rain to end a three-match winless run in the Scottish Premier League and climb to fourth, above Saints, who are without a win in four.
Aberdeen made a strong start as Saints played towards the worst of the elements.
Mannus saved a 25-yard shot from McGinn which swerved in the wind and then scrambled away the follow-up from Josh Magennis before the ball broke for Mitchel Megginson, whose effort deflected wide.
Mannus again saved from McGinn after the forward returned to his feet quickly following a good tackle by Frazer Wright as he shaped to shoot.
The Dons seemed certain to score when Megginson whipped the ball towards the far post, with Rory Fallon unmarked and poised to nod it in, but Russell Anderson hurled himself at the ball and headed wide as he finished up in the net.
Saints replaced Millar with Paddy Cregg in midfield after 28 minutes and six minutes later the visitors had an opportunity when Mackay's cross found Wright, who could not keep the ball down with the goal gaping.
Saints were again indebted to Mannus when he made a point-blank save from McGinn after meeting Magennis' cross from the left.
Magennis and Fallon had tame efforts as Saints were relieved to see the half end goalless.
In the second half, Liam Craig shot over for Saints after Anderson halted a run by Rowan Vine before Magennis won a free-kick at the other end in a dangerous position. From 25 yards out on the right, McGinn kept the ball low as he bent it around the wall into the bottom corner for his 10th of the season.
The Dons twice came close to doubling their lead in swift succession, only for Mannus to deny them on each occasion.
McGinn nodded down substitute Jamie Masson's cross for Magennis, who had the Saints goalkeeper at full stretch, before McGinn turned the ball goalwards and Mannus saved again.
Saints introduced Nigel Hasselbaink alongside fellow substitute Gregory Tade up front in an effort to find the equaliser, but immediately fell two behind.
Masson threaded the ball from the left through for McGinn to race through and place the ball low beyond Mannus and complete victory.
Cardiff will be top of the table at Christmas after recording a narrow victory at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Bluebirds bounced back from their disappointing defeat against Peterborough as Wales international Bellamy's well-struck half-volley gave them victory over the Foxes.
Bottom side Posh continued their recent resurgence as they came out on top in a remarkable nine-goal thriller against Bolton.
Lee Tomlin and Dwight Gayle struck to put the Posh 2-0 up, but Keith Andrews pulled one back from the spot.
George Thorne made it 3-1, only for Andrews to again convert from the penalty spot.
Further goals from Mark Little and Gabriel Zakuani looked to have given Peterborough the spoils, but they were forced to hang on for a 5-4 win after Benik Afobe and Martin Petrov had given Bolton hope of salvaging a point.
Sheffield Wednesday climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-0 home win over Charlton.
Rhys McCabe and Jeremy Helan grabbed the goals for the Owls, while Charlton manager Chris Powell was sent off at half-time after protesting the decision not to award the Addicks a penalty for a challenge on Yann Kermorgant.
Watford climbed into the play-off places with a 2-0 victory at home to 10-man Nottingham Forest. Matej Vydra scored both goals for the Hornets, either side of Daniel Ayala's sending-off for a second bookable offence.
Luciano Becchio netted a brace to help Leeds United come from a goal down to beat Middlesbrough at Elland Road.
Lukas Jutkiewicz put the visitors ahead on the half-hour mark but Becchio secured the points for Neil Warnock's side.
Barnsley picked up a valuable three points with a 2-1 triumph at 10-man Millwall.
Stephen Dawson put the Tykes ahead before Adam Smith was sent off.
Chris Wood levelled with 10 minutes to go but Marcus Tudgay snatched victory for Barnsley with his late effort.
Tommy Smith's goal gave Ipswich a 1-1 draw against Bristol City, after Neil Danns had put the visitors ahead at Portman Road.
Nikola Zigic struck late to salvage a 2-2 draw for Birmingham against Burnley at St Andrew's.
Curtis Davies had put the Blues ahead before David Ings and Ross Wallace struck inside three second-half minutes for the visitors.
The game between Blackburn and Brighton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park.
