Aberdeen defender Russell Anderson said he was delighted to make a successful return to action in a 4-0 friendly win over Peterhead at Balmoor.

The defender, who re-signed for the Dons in January, strolled through the match following his recovery after hamstring surgery.

However the 33-year-old’s comeback was almost short-lived when the floodlights at Balmoor failed with only two minutes gone.

The Dons were already a goal ahead at that stage thanks to Darren Mackie’s strike inside 40 seconds before the lights went out.

The match was able to resume after a 15-minute delay and the Dons continued where they left when Mohamed Chalali netted a quick-fire double to put the Dons into an unassailable 3-0 lead with only six minutes gone.

Mackie got his second to complete the scoring as the Dons ran out comfortable winners.

Anderson, who was replaced by Scott Rumsby after 70 minutes, said afterwards: "It was really good to be back playing. I did not think it would last too long when the floodlights went off! I thought I was jinxed! But it was really good to get back out on the pitch, it has been a long time so I enjoyed it.

"I came through the game OK and I feel fine. It was always the plan to come through the game and play the 70 minutes. There were no problems at all.

"It was also great being back in the changing room for a game. It is completely different to being in the changing room for training stuff. The match atmosphere is different. You just kind of slot back into how it is. I really enjoyed it.

"Although people talked about me only having a chance of coming back at the very end of the season I don't really know who estimated that. It was always the plan for the physios not to name a date. I have been in these situations before and something can go wrong and then all of a sudden people are wondering where you are, if you have broken down or whatever.

"I am by no means properly match-fit yet. I think it was a good start tonight but I think I have got a fair bit to go yet. I was happy with the run-out though.”

The defender says he hopes to be back fit for Aberdeen's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Hibernian on April 14.

He added: "We have got the cup semi-final and I would love to think I would be in contention for it. Hopefully we can get some more games between now and then and I will be training everyday so although it is a gradual thing I would love to think I would be available for it.

"It is huge incentive for me but for everyone else as well. It is not really about me. You look at the team who did so well against Motherwell in the quarter-final. They deserve all the praise for that. It is a huge incentive for them to go as well as me to try and get into a final. It is a big game for the club.”