The Pittodrie side were beaten 3-0 at Ibrox a fortnight ago which looked to be the result which would secure Rangers second place behind champions-elect Celtic.

However, Rangers' 1-1 with Inverness Caledonian Thistle reduced the Govan side's lead over Calderwood's men in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to five points, with the two sides scheduled to meet at Pittodrie in the last game of the season.

Calderwood said: "It's a massive result for us and we can dream now.

"We have three home games coming up and it might be an exciting last game of the season now.

"We thought we had blown it when we got beaten by Rangers a fortnight ago but this result has given us a lift."

The Pittodrie men, however, will count themselves fortunate to have left Ayrshire with all three points.

An own goal by James Fowler after 58 minutes handed the visitors an unlikely lead before Dons skipper Russell Anderson prodded home goal number two 10 minutes later.

Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith pulled a goal back from the spot with six minutes to go to set up an exciting finish, but the Dons held on.

Home boss Jim Jefferies was left almost incredulous by Calderwood's admission that Killie "had deserved something" from the game.

He said: "We deserved something? Kilmarnock were mugged.

"We blew them away the whole game, not just in the first half.

"In all the time that I have been here I don't think we have dominated a game as much - I don't think our keeper Graeme Smith had a save to make.

"I couldn't have asked for any more of my players and I said to them they will never be as unlucky again this season.

"It was a great response after we lost to Hibs in the CIS Cup final.

"Sometimes when you get beaten you are annoyed but we got beaten the right way, we gave everything.

"But in fairness to Aberdeen, they took their opportunity."

Kilmarnock midfielder Momo Sylla condemned Richie Byrne, claiming the Dons defender was fortunate to finish the game after he had elbowed the former Celtic player before the break, breaking his tooth.

The Irishman was subsequently booked for a reckless challenge on Sylla and the two players tangled again on the touchline as the Pittodrie men led 1-0.

Referee Brian Winter booked Sylla in that incident when it looked as if both players were equally culpable.

From the resultant free-kick Anderson scored and Killie were left with a formidable task on their hands.

But Sylla insists Byrne could have been off the park in the first half.

Sylla said: "He kicked me the whole game and he also elbowed me in the mouth and broke my tooth.

"If the referee didn't see it then the linesman should have seen it because it was right in front of him.

"I was a bit surprised that I was the only one booked when we clashed again but that's football."