Saints boss Gordon Strachan last night returned to Aberdeen, the club where he was a legend as player, and left an even bigger hero after the Dons defeated his FA Cup finalists.

Strachan was given a standing ovation by the Dons faithful at Pittodrie who are celebrating their centenary year with a series of high profile events - including this game against the Saints boss who was recently voted amongst their greatest ever players.

Proud Scotsman Strachan even took part in a half time five-a-side legends match in front of over 8,500 fans - some 50 of which made the journey from Southampton.

Despite it being a post-season friendly, Strachan made only three changes to the team which went down 1-0 to Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium in the FA Cup Final.

Fabrice Fenandes was restored to the starting line-up with Northern Ireland under-21 international Chris Baird dropping to the bench.

The injured Antti Niemi was replaced by Alan Blayney with Paul Jones on international duty and Paul Williams came in for Claus Lundekvam, away with Norway.

Aberdeen started the brighter and grabbed the opener after only six minutes when Jamie McAllister's free-kick cannoned in off the right post after Michael Svensson had brought down Kevin McNaughton as he closed in on goal.

It took just 11 minutes for the Dons to double their lead when Tom Verhaar's right wing free-kick found Philip McGuire and his ball was stabbed home by Leigh Hinds.

Saints then started to threaten themselves and only Michael Hart's clearing header denied them before they pulled one back on 25 minutes.

Brett Ormerod flicked on Paul Telfer's right wing cross and this season's top scorer James Beattie powered home a far post header.

That was the end of the scoring but not the end of action.

Before half-time Chris Marsden saw his shot palmed wide by the keeper while the Dons number one also stopped smartly form Beattie.

But Aberdeen also threatened when McNaughton couldn't quite connect in front of goal and Paul Sheerin's shot deflected off Ormerod, forcing a good save from Blayney.

At half-time it was Strachan's turn to take centre stage and he gave the home crowd what they wanted as he captained the Gothenburg Greats five-a-side team who drew 1-1.

But most pleasing for Strachan was his appearance on the scoresheet after netting the opener from close range. However, his effort was later cancelled out by Duncan Shearer.

Back into the match, the second half didn't have the goals of the first but still a few near misses.

With Jo Tessem and Danny Higginbotham on to protect Beattie and Wayne Bridge who are soon to join up with the England squad, Fernandes rounded the keeper but hit the side netting.

With 22 minutes left Michael Svensson almost levelled the scores when his powerful header beat the goalkeeper but not Sheerin on the line.

Baird came on as a sub and repeated his Cardiff experience by again clearing off the line, this time from Hinds.

As the game reached its conclusion Matt Oakley's volley struck the post but Aberdeen held on to take the Friendship Cup.

Saints: Blayney, Telfer (Baird 73), M Svensson (Benali 78), Williams, Bridge (Higginbotham 45), Fernandes, Oakley (Anderson 88), A Svensson, Marsden, Beattie (Tessem 45), Ormerod (A Davies 63). Subs: K Davies, Coles (gk).

Attendance: 8,568