Aberdeen 1 - 1 Hearts

Aberdeen and Hearts defied the weather to serve up an entertaining match despite ending their Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaigns with a draw.

The home side had the better of the game but fell behind to Ryan Stevenson's header, before Jamie Hamill's own-goal ensured a share of the points.

The Dons had announced that the futures of nine first-team players would lie away from Pittodrie after the summer, but that was tempered with the news that top-scorer Niall McGinn had extended his contract until 2016 as manager Derek McInnes looks to make the former Celtic man the focal point of a re-shaped side.

Of those on the way out, only Gavin Rae and Isaac Osbourne started for McInnes' side, and the manager handed young midfielder Nicky Low a rare start. Josh Magennis replaced Scott Vernon alongside McGinn in attack.

With their Lithuanian parent company, UBIG, having been declared insolvent, there is still a question mark over the very future of Hearts.

That was put to one side, though, as they looked to end the season on a positive note. They made three changes from the side that had lost in the Edinburgh derby to a last-gasp Ross Caldwell strike.

David Smith, Dylan McGowan and Dale Carrick were the men coming in, with Darren Barr missing out and John Sutton and Jamie Walker dropping to the bench.

The Dons showed they were up for this as early as the fourth minute. The presence of Magennis saw him ease Andy Webster off the ball before lifting it over Jamie Macdonald, only for McGowan to race back and clear the danger.

The home side were certainly creating the better chances and moments after Cammy Smith had headed a Joe Shaughnessy cross narrowly over, it took a superbly-timed Kevin McHattie tackle to stop Jonny Hayes in full flight.

The visitors had yet to spark into life, but Jason Holt's deflected effort on the quarter-hour forced Aberdeen's Jamie Langfield into a fine save low to his right.

Smith and Hayes were linking up superbly at times, and when they did so again after 17 minutes, the latter laid the ball on a plate for McGinn who saw his 15-yard drive pushed over by Macdonald.

The Hearts keeper was in action again after 20 minutes as he parried away a Smith effort, before Hayes' follow-up was deflected wide.

Macdonald was in inspired form and he pulled off a stunning save seven minutes from the interval. Magennis stretched to turn a Clark Robertson cross goalwards, but the goalkeeper showed superb reactions to push the effort over the bar.

Hearts threatened just moments into the second half and Langfield hesitated in coming for a Hamill cross, but the Dons eventually scrambled the ball away from Michael Ngoo.

But it continued to be the heroics of Macdonald that kept them level. Shortly before the hour, Smith connected with Low's cross from the left, only for the keeper to throw himself across his goal to save.

Such is the cruelty of football, that it was no surprise when it was the visitors who took the lead after 62 minutes. Smith's left-wing corner found the unmarked Stevenson and he headed beyond Langfield to open the scoring.

Before play had resumed, the first change of the day saw Declan McManus replace the impressive Smith for Aberdeen, and 10 minutes later, Vernon came on for Magennis.

Hamill picked up the game's first booking after his challenge on McGinn proved one too many, and Shaughnessy and McHattie quickly followed into Crawford Allan's black book.

With 13 minutes remaining, Aberdeen drew level. Hayes twisted and turned in the penalty area before sending a teasing ball across the face of goal. Hamill slid in to clear, but succeeded only in turning into his own net.

The former Kilmarnock man tried to make amends with a long-range drive five minutes later, but Langfield got down well to beat away the strike.

As the end of the season drew nearer, so came the sentimental substitutions. Marius Zaliuskas entered the fray in place of Stevenson, with both set to leave Tynecastle in the summer.

Aberdeen's Rae was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Jamie Masson, and Hearts' striker Ngoo ended his loan spell from Liverpool as he was replaced by John Sutton.

The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Jason Holt.
92

Effort from the edge of the area by Johnny Hayes goes wide of the left-hand post.
91

Dylan McGowan concedes a free kick for a foul on Niall McGinn. Niall McGinn takes the direct free kick.
90

The ball is delivered by Scott Vernon, Andy Webster makes a clearance.
89

Niall McGinn gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Webster. Mehdi Taouil restarts play with the free kick.
89

Niall McGinn takes a corner.
87

Declan McManus fouled by Dylan McGowan, the ref awards a free kick. Nicky Low restarts play with the free kick.
87

John Sutton on for Michael Ngoo.
86

The offside flag is raised against David Smith. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
85

(Aberdeen) makes a substitution, with Jamie Masson coming on for Gavin Rae.
84

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicky Low by David Smith. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.
83

Ryan Stevenson goes off and Marius Zaliukas comes on.
82

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
81

Clark Robertson delivers the ball.
81

Jamie Hamill produces a volleyed right-footed shot from 12 yards. Save by Jamie Langfield.
80

Free kick awarded for a foul by Declan McManus on Andy Webster. Andy Webster takes the direct free kick.
78

Unfair challenge on Jamie Hamill by Niall McGinn results in a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Jamie Hamill.
78

An own goal is scored by Jamie Hamill. Aberdeen 1-1 Hearts.The assist for the goal came from Johnny Hayes.
77

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Declan McManus goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
76

The assistant referee flags for offside against Michael Ngoo. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.
75

The offside flag is raised against Declan McManus. Jamie Walker replaces Dale Carrick. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
74

Kevin McHattie shown a yellow card. Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin McHattie on Johnny Hayes. Direct free kick taken by Johnny Hayes.
73

Ryan Stevenson fouled by Joe Shaughnessy, the ref awards a free kick. Caution for Joe Shaughnessy. Free kick taken by Kevin McHattie.
72

Josh Magennis leaves the field to be replaced by Scott Vernon.
71

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Declan McManus by Mehdi Taouil. Nicky Low restarts play with the free kick.
70

Free kick awarded for a foul by Josh Magennis on Andy Webster. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
70

Jamie Hamill receives a caution.
69

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by David Smith.
68

Niall McGinn concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Holt. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Hamill.
65

The ball is sent over by Jamie Hamill.
65

Foul by Gavin Rae on Dale Carrick, free kick awarded. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
64

A cross is delivered by Nicky Low, Jason Holt makes a clearance.
64

Ryan Stevenson is caught offside. Direct free kick taken by Isaac Osbourne.
63

Declan McManus replaces Cameron Smith.
62

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Smith from the left by-line, Ryan Stevenson finds the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Aberdeen 0-1 Hearts.Assist by Ryan Stevenson.
61

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Smith by Gavin Rae. Ryan Stevenson restarts play with the free kick.
59

The ball is delivered by Jamie Hamill.
58

Nicky Low produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.
57

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line, Michael Ngoo manages to make a clearance.
57

The ball is crossed by Nicky Low, Cameron Smith takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald. Short corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line, Andy Webster makes a clearance.
56

Dale Carrick challenges Nicky Low unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nicky Low restarts play with the free kick.
55

The assistant referee signals for offside against Michael Ngoo. Isaac Osbourne restarts play with the free kick.
55

Ryan Stevenson is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jason Holt by Nicky Low. Jason Holt restarts play with the free kick.
53

Nicky Low sends in a cross.
53

Correction - Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Smith by Isaac Osbourne. Jason Holt crosses the ball in from the free kick.
51

Isaac Osbourne gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Smith. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Mehdi Taouil from left wing.
51

Johnny Hayes decides to take a short corner, Centre by Niall McGinn.
50

Short corner worked by Niall McGinn, Centre by Johnny Hayes.
48

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
47

Centre by Jamie Hamill, save by Jamie Langfield.
45

The game restarts for the second half.

The referee calls an end to the first half.

Kevin McHattie challenges Johnny Hayes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Johnny Hayes takes the free kick.
43

Inswinging corner taken by Kevin McHattie from the right by-line, save by Jamie Langfield.
40

Kevin McHattie takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Mark Reynolds.
39

The ball is sent over by Clark Robertson, Josh Magennis takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald. Corner from right by-line taken by Johnny Hayes.
37

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Isaac Osbourne.
36

Niall McGinn crosses the ball, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
36

The ball is swung over by Johnny Hayes, blocked by Andy Webster. Johnny Hayes decides to take a short corner, The ball is delivered by Niall McGinn.
33

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Stevenson on Cameron Smith. Niall McGinn takes the free kick.
32

Michael Ngoo concedes a free kick for a foul on Isaac Osbourne. Jamie Langfield takes the direct free kick.
32

Free kick awarded for a foul by Joe Shaughnessy on Dale Carrick. Mehdi Taouil restarts play with the free kick.
29

The official flags Michael Ngoo offside. Isaac Osbourne restarts play with the free kick.
27

Johnny Hayes has an effort at goal. Blocked by Andy Webster. Corner taken short by Niall McGinn, The ball is sent over by Johnny Hayes.
25

Unfair challenge on Nicky Low by Ryan Stevenson results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.
25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Clark Robertson on Dale Carrick. Jamie Hamill takes the free kick.
24

The ball is delivered by Dale Carrick, Isaac Osbourne makes a clearance. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Clark Robertson by Jamie Hamill. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Langfield.
22

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Hamill on Nicky Low. Niall McGinn crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Clark Robertson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Webster. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
20

The ball is crossed by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Jamie Hamill.
20

Cameron Smith takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Webster. Short corner taken by Johnny Hayes,
19

Niall McGinn takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald. Inswinging corner taken by Niall McGinn from the right by-line played to the near post, Johnny Hayes has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
16

Foul by Michael Ngoo on Gavin Rae, free kick awarded. Isaac Osbourne takes the free kick.
16

Niall McGinn gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jamie Hamill. Jamie Hamill takes the direct free kick.
16

Correction - The ball is delivered by Dale Carrick, Isaac Osbourne makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kevin McHattie, Mark Reynolds manages to make a clearance. Kevin McHattie crosses the ball, clearance by Clark Robertson. Corner taken by Kevin McHattie, Andy Webster takes a shot. Isaac Osbourne gets a block in.
14

Dale Carrick delivers the ball, Isaac Osbourne manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Kevin McHattie from the right by-line, clearance made by Mark Reynolds. Centre by Kevin McHattie, clearance by Clark Robertson. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Kevin McHattie, Andy Webster takes a shot. Isaac Osbourne gets a block in.
14

Jason Holt produces a cross, Isaac Osbourne makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by David Smith from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Gavin Rae.
13

Joe Shaughnessy delivers the ball, Shot from deep inside the area by Cameron Smith goes over the bar.
11

Correction - Dale Carrick has an effort at goal from 30 yards. Save by Jamie Langfield. Gavin Rae takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
10

Dale Carrick produces a volleyed right-footed shot from 30 yards. Save by Jamie Langfield. Gavin Rae takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
10

Centre by David Smith, clearance by Gavin Rae.
10

Johnny Hayes fouled by Jamie Hamill, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Reynolds restarts play with the free kick.
7

Niall McGinn produces a right-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.
6

Correction - Kevin McHattie takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Clark Robertson manages to make a clearance.
5

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kevin McHattie from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Clark Robertson.
5

Mehdi Taouil fouled by Gavin Rae, the ref awards a free kick. Dylan McGowan takes the free kick.
4

Josh Magennis delivers the ball.
1

Johnny Hayes fouled by Kevin McHattie, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Johnny Hayes, clearance made by Dylan McGowan.

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

Taken from sportinglife.com