Aberdeen 1 – 1 St. Johnstone

Aberdeen went 5 video games and not using a win after a irritating 1-1 draw towards St Johnstone at rain-soaked Pittodrie.

Nonetheless second within the William Hill Premiership, the Dons seemed to bounce again after a string of tries, however fell behind to Makenzie Kirk's easy end, earlier than Leighton Clarkson equalized 10 minutes after the break.

Aberdeen confirmed three modifications from the staff that have been narrowly overwhelmed by Celtic in midweek, with Nicky Devlin, Topi Keskinen and Duk all demoted to the bench.

The Saints made an analogous variety of modifications after their loss to Rangers final weekend, though certainly one of them was a late change after defender Bozo Mikulic made a cease through the warm-up.

The Dons began brightly, however regardless of all their possession they struggled to create clear probabilities, however when Jack Milne burst via simply after the quarter of an hour to construct a counter, Kevin Nisbet discovered himself unfortunate to be ousted.

St Johnstone had supplied little however seemed to trigger an issue on the break, and after 25 minutes they took the lead in unusual circumstances.

Aberdeen left-back Jimmy McGarry discovered himself within the centre-half place and, whereas attempting to chop out a cross from Nicky Clark, managed to flick the ball into his personal face, leaving Kirk with a easy ending forward of Ross Doohan.

Kirk may have added a second by outpacing the Dons protection in pursuit of a protracted ball, however Gavin Molloy recovered properly to keep away from the hazard.

With Josh Rae nonetheless untested within the Saints purpose, the guests survived a scare late within the first half as a Clarkson free-kick simply evaded Sivert Heltne Nilsen in entrance of purpose , and Slobodan Rubezic couldn’t get again in entrance.

Aberdeen supervisor Jimmy Thelin was clearly sad along with his aspect's efficiency and made three modifications on the break, making a right away impression.

Duk was certainly one of three entrants into the motion and inside 10 minutes he had equalized, reaching the touchline earlier than reducing again for Clarkson to go dwelling from six yards.

The Dons seemed extra direct now, and with Duk stretching the play out, they appeared higher capable of finding pockets of area across the field.

A cross from Milne nearly caught out Rae as he almost fell on the close to publish, and the goalkeeper needed to be alert once more to push away Clarkson's neat curling effort.

With quarter-hour remaining, Doohan well received right down to deny Kyle Cameron because the defender latched onto a free ball to volley in direction of purpose.

Aberdeen threw on Keskinen and Vicente Besuijen as they looked for a second purpose, however the guests fought again valiantly to carry on to a well-deserved level.

What leaders say…

Aberdeen chief Jimmy Thélin: “I believe our efficiency wasn't the perfect we've had this season. It didn't have the power or the depth that we wished to play with.

“Our help has been unbelievable thus far this season, however as we speak I can perceive some frustration – in soccer that's regular, generally when you’ve gotten excessive expectations.

“We now have to remain united, attempt to push our limits and be higher each week we practice and play. The sport towards Celtic was actually good power and we couldn't discover a option to present the identical power as we speak 'as we speak.'

St. Johnstone chief Simo Valakari: “We performed extraordinarily properly. The one factor we centered on is competing, performing and attempting to play the perfect we will – the outcomes will come.

“Are we disenchanted to solely take some extent? Possibly. However we nonetheless respect the end result, and I'm very proud of the efficiency of our gamers, the best way they performed with and with out the ball towards a excessive stage staff.

“We seemed stable and we defended awful at instances. There have been instances after we performed good soccer as properly.

“This efficiency supplies a platform from which the outcomes will come, so I’m very pleased.”

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