Aberdeen surprised Eintracht Frankfurt by equalising within the Waldstadion earlier than succumbing to a 2-1 Europa Convention League defeat.
Dante Polvara completed off a scientific counter-attack within the twenty second minute to cancel out an early penalty opener and the Dons appeared snug for almost all of the primary half.
The German aspect stepped up a gear after the break and on-loan Leeds defender Robin Koch headed what proved to be the winner within the 61st minute.
However Frankfurt, third-favourites to win the competitors behind Aston Villa and Fiorentina, needed to face up to some late stress and Aberdeen substitute Ester Sokler missed probability in stoppage-time.
Barry Robson’s aspect had solely overwhelmed Stirling Albion of their eight earlier video games this season and it appeared prefer it is perhaps an extended night time in Germany when Frankfurt took the lead inside 11 minutes.
Jack MacKenzie was caught out by a move inside him and Dina Ebimbe muscled his approach in entrance of the wing-back. The Frenchman went down amid a tangle of legs and MacKenzie was penalised. Omar Marmoush transformed from the spot.
Aberdeen delighted their 2,900 travelling followers by drawing degree towards the aspect that beat Rangers within the 2021 Europa League closing.
Bojan Miovski collected a free move simply contained in the Eintracht half and was joined by a number of team-mates in bursting ahead. The lone striker performed the ball out extensive to Nicky Devlin whose low cross discovered Polvara, who took a contact six yards out and fired excessive into the web previous two dwelling gamers and the goalkeeper. It was the American’s first objective for Aberdeen.
Some Dons followers took their celebrations too far amid reviews {that a} lit pyrotechnic was thrown into the house finish. Extra missiles adopted amid loud jeers from the Frankfurt followers, though they gave the impression to be plastic cups.
There was just one scare for the guests earlier than the break when Paxten Aaronson obtained in behind MacKenzie to satisfy a lofted move. Kelle Roos obtained down effectively to cease the volley earlier than the offside flag was raised however the VAR choice would have been fascinating if the ball had gone in as there was little or no in it.
Frankfurt’s winner got here after some sustained stress and Stefan Gartenmann cleared a header off the road simply earlier than the nook that made the distinction. Koch managed to get away from his marker and information a free header simply contained in the far put up.
The house aspect continued to press and Gartenmann was maybe lucky to solely obtain a yellow card for a hefty problem earlier than Roos stopped a long-range strike from Hugo Larsson and Devlin produced a goal-saving problem.
However Aberdeen got here again into the sport after a triple substitution within the 71st minute when Connor Barron, Jonny Hayes and Ryan Duncan got here on.
Richard Jensen headed over from Duncan’s nook earlier than Roos saved from Ansgar Knauff and Aberdeen then pressured a sequence of set-pieces within the closing third.
Their probability for a memorable night time ultimately fell for the unmarked Sokler however he went for energy somewhat than accuracy together with his volley and fired astray.
PAOK beat HJK 3-2 in Finland within the different sport in Group G.
What’s next?
Aberdeen return to Scottish Premiership motion on Sunday at dwelling to Ross County. Kick-off 3pm.
Their subsequent Europa Convention League match is at dwelling to HJK Helsinki on October 5. Kick-off 8pm.