Aberdeen got here from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw in opposition to HJK Helsinki within the Europa Convention League at Pittodrie.
Regardless of creating the perfect alternatives in a cagey contest, the hosts fell behind simply earlier than the hour mark by means of Bojan Radulovic’s strike.
Nonetheless, a tremendous header from Bojan Miovski noticed the Dons get off the mark in Group G following their opening-match defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt a fortnight in the past.
Aberdeen may have been forward within the eleventh minute when Richard Jensen discovered area to get on the top of Leighton Clarkson’s nook however he was unable to direct his header heading in the right direction from 10 yards out.
Because the Dons continued to press within the early phases, HJK goalkeeper Jesse Ost got here to the guests’ rescue within the twenty first minute. Stefan Gartenmann clipped a exact cross onto the top of Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes, whose glancing effort was nicely saved by Ost.
Having gained their final three matches in all competitions, the house crew seemed assured and Miovski flashed a header vast from one other Gartenmann centre within the twenty seventh minute.
However two prolonged stoppages for nasty head wounds sustained by Duk and Jensen resulted in Barry Robson’s males shedding a few of their momentum within the run-up to half-time, the latter quickly leaving the sector of play so an enormous gash above his eye might be stitched up.
Early within the second half, Jamie McGrath was offered with a good alternative after Miovski and Clarkson mixed however the Irishman, who netted within the 3-1 in opposition to Rangers at Ibrox final weekend, shot vast from 12 yards.
Nonetheless, the Finnish facet supplied threats of their very own and Tuomas Ollila delivered a superb low cross throughout the six-yard field which must have been snapped up by a team-mate.
That served as a warning for the Dons, who fell behind within the 59th minute. Pyry Soiri’s cutback from the correct flank was swept excessive into the web by Radulovic from 10 yards.
Bojan Radulovic celebrates after placing HJK Helsinki in entrance at Aberdeen
Miovski ought to have levelled within the 71st minute when he was picked out by substitute Connor Barron however his volley down into the bottom was turned behind by Ost.
However the North Macedonia worldwide made amends within the 79th minute with a precision header to make it 1-1. Jonny Hayes, who was efficient off the bench, noticed his cross flicked on by Miro Tenho and Miovski beautifully glanced the ball into the underside nook.
Duk then wasted an amazing probability to attain the winner moments later when he chased down a protracted punt ahead solely to see his shot saved by Ost because the groups shared the factors.
Robson: We deserved to win sport
Aberdeen supervisor Barry Robson felt his crew wasted a possibility to defeat HJK Helsinki and register their first win within the Europa Convention League.
Robson mentioned: “I’m annoyed as a result of we deserved to win the sport.
“I’m disenchanted with the aim we misplaced as a result of it was their solely shot at aim however that was testomony to the way in which we defended and pressed.
“The frustration comes from having 17 photographs and solely scoring as soon as. We wanted to be a bit extra medical and had we carried out so, I believe we may have gained that sport by three of 4.
“That was a superb efficiency.
“That’s 5 video games in a row the place we’ve actually carried out and we’ve scored 11 targets however the sucker punch is Helsinki scoring with their one actual probability.”
What’s next?
Aberdeen return to Scottish Premiership motion on Sunday at residence to St Johnstone. Kick-off 3pm.
Their subsequent Europa Convention League match is at residence to POAK Salonika on October 26. Kick-off 8pm.