Aberdeen had the games first two chances when Fraser Wright slipped to allow Chris Clark's cross to slide towards the far post, but like his header a minute later after Ford had dawdled, it slid inches past the post.
David Fernandez almost put Killie ahead in the eleventh minute after linking with Wales, but Jamie Langfield produced a great blocking save.
Killie put their best move together in first half injury time when Garry Hay bombed into the box and drilled over a cross which just evaded Wales, and gave Danny Invincibile too tight an angle to score.
They went close again a minute after the break when Wales fed Steven Naismith, but Michael Hart slid in brilliantly to rob the striker.
Killie kept making life difficult for themselves and Hay gifted Mackie an opening in the 66th minute. The Dons striker robbed the Killie captain and crossed low for Lee Miller, but the Scotland striker missed his kick completely with the goal gaping.
Aberdeen paid the price for the miss four minutes later when the home side capitalised on a defensive mistake. Skipper Scott Severin passed loosely out of defence and Fernandez pounced. He fed Gary Wales who out-paced the Dons defence and shot in low at the far post.