Aberdeen 2 Hearts 2

It was a heartening fightback by the battling Dons who deserved credit.

The pressure was on Aberdeen, knowing they still needed at least one point for safety.

But with Hibs losing to Dundee United it turned out to be irrelevant.

The home side enjoyed the best of the early stages but failed to convert the few chances they had, then fell behind to a well worked goal in 10 minutes.

Former Dundee player Neil McCann worked a great one-two with John Robertson, and collected the backheeled return before scoring with an angled shot from the corner of the six-yard box.

Dons fought back bravely, however, and deservedly levelled the scores in 26 minutes when Eoin Jess did his World Cup chances no harm when he scored following a defensive blunder by Dave McPherson.

Hearts then restored their lead three minutes later when McPherson made amends for his earlier mistake and headed home unmarked as Neil McCann turned provider.

After the restart Aberdeen levelled the match again with a goal inside the opening minute.

Ricky Gillies crossed well from the right and former Blackburn striker Mike Newell stuck out a foot and flicked the ball high into the net past Gillies Rousset.

Hearts then gave their all to get back in front but couldn't find the killer touch.

in the end a draw was the fairest result in a match in which no team really deserved to lose. But the result suits Aberdeen more than Hearts.

Teams:

Aberdeen: Leighton, Buchan, Whyte, Rowson (Anderson 45), Inglis, Smith, Gillies, Jess, Newell, Dodds, Glass (Miller 90).

Subs Not Used: O'Neil.

Booked: Buchan, Smith.

Goals: Jess 26, Newell 46.

Hearts: Rousset, McPherson, Naysmith, Weir, Salvatori, Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Robertson (Flogel 83), Cameron (Bradley 90), Adam.

Subs Not Used: Murie.

Goals: McCann 10, McPherson 29.

Att: 12,899

Ref: E Martindale (Glasgow).



Taken from sportinglife.com