Three And Preecey

David Preece conceded three goals to Kilmarnock reserves yesterday in his first game back from injury. This is hardly the start Preece will have wished for as he attempts to wrestle the gloves back from arguably Saturday's man of the match Ryan Esson, whose string of excellent saves, including one from the penalty spot, gives Jimmy Calderwood something to think about as his former No. 1 continues his comeback from injury.

With the knowledge that Jamie Langfield is joining Aberdeen from Dunfermline this summer, Preece is going to have to move up a gear to retain the Dons first team 'keeper's jersey, particularly as there has been no discernable difference between the sticks while he has been injured.

The former Darlington player was at least partially to blame for Kilmarnock reserves' first goal yesterday, as he and fellow first-teamer Ricky Foster allowed mediocre journeyman Gary Wales to nip between them to score. Preece had little else to do during the game apart from test his healing finger picking the ball out of the net a further two times. Aberdeen's goalscorers were the Paatelainen brothers.