Adam Rooney haunted Albion again today, nine years after scoring a hat-trick against them.

The former Stoke striker scored the only goal to earn Aberdeen a 1-0 victory in a testimonial friendly for their long-serving goalkeeper Jamie Langfield at Pittodrie.

Rooney was a teenager when he struck three times for Stoke against relegated Albion on the final day of the Championship season at Withdean in 2005-06.

He was on target for Aberdeen 28 times last season and demonstrated his goalscoring instincts by back-heeling in a low cross from Cammy Smith in the 75th minute to defeat the Seagulls again.

Albion's performance fizzled out in the second half, when boss Chris Hughton and his counterpart Derek McInnes both made numerous substitutions.

The Seagulls should have been ahead at the break. Langfield excelled on his big day with fine saves to foil Kazenga LuaLua (twice) and Danny Holla.

The fit-again Lewis Dunk and Chris O'Grady also headed over when well-placed, while new Israeli striker Tomer Hemed spooned over the bar when he was clean through.

Niki Maenpaa, Dale Stephens, Solly March and Sam Baldock joined Gordon Greer, Jake Forster-Caskey and Andrew Crofts as absentees from the Albion squad.

Under-21s trio Jesse Starkey, Tom Dallison and Joe Ward were among the second half changes after playing at Chelmsford yesterday.

Aberdeen (4-2-3-1): Langfield (Brown 90); Logan (Considine 46), Taylor (Quinn 46), Rose, Shinnie (McLean 46); Robson (Storie 70); Pawlett (McGinn 70), Flood (Jack 46), Smith (Goodwillie 81); Shankland (Wright 60), Rooney (Ross 85). Subs not used: Culjack.

Albion (4-4-2): Stockdale; Bruno (Chicksen 76), Rea (Dallison 76), Dunk, Bong; Rosenior (Calderon 46), Ince (Kayal 46), Holla, LuaLua (Ward 76); O'Grady, Hemed (Colunga 46). Subs not used: Ankergren, Starkey.