Aberdeen 1
McDonald (67)
McDonald sent off (68)

Aberdeen put in a great second half performance to earn a point at Fir Park, but once again it was a game marred by controversy.

Motherwell went in at half time a goal to the good and it was hard to argue with that. The home side took the lead on 13 minutes. There seemed no danger when Jutkiewicz picked the ball up at the edge of the box but he turned and squeezed the ball in at the near post. Seconds before that Motherwell keeper Ruddy, who had a blinder, saved a Miller header. Things could have been worse minutes later but Considine thankfully cleared off the line. Motherwell had much of the possession after their goal but Paton missed the best chance when Ruddy, on loan from Everton, came out quickly to close down the angle.

It was a different Aberdeen side that came out after the break. They played some of the best football an Aberdeen side has played for a long time but they could not beat Ruddy and never got the break of the ball in the box. All their pressure finally paid off in the 67th minute when McDonald headed home a superb Mulgrew corner.

As the midfielder celebrated his goal he covered his face with his shirt and referee Crawford Allan decided it was worthy of a booking. Having been booked earlier McDonald was incredibly sent off.

Gary was aware that if you take your top off it is a caution but he did his usual celebration with his top over his head, without removing his jersey. Unfortunately the new FIFA directive outlaws players putting the top over their heads as well now to stop players displaying messages on t-shirts under their strips. The new directive has not been communicated officially to the players.

Crawford Allan, who is one of the better refs, was just implying the laws but again a common sense approach might have sufficed on this occasion.

With the Dons in complete control the whole shape of the game changed. Despite this the Dons improved fitness again helped them through and Aberdeen still carved out some chances to win. Paton forced Ruddy into another excellent save and substitute Mackie, making his 301^st appearance was only inches away from connecting with a Considine cross. Despite taking a nasty knock midway through the second half Langfield also had some good saves near the end.

Frustratingly the Dons had to settle for anther draw but there is much to be encouraged about as this was another very good performance and the Dons are getting better each week.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mulgrew, Foster, Pawlett, Considine, Ifil, Kerr, , McDonald, Miller, Paton, Ross.

Motherwell: Ruddy, Hammell, Moutaouakil, Saunders, Reynolds, Coke, Hateley, Forbes, Murphy, Jutkiewicz, Sutton.

RedWeb  Full Match Report please click here

RedWeb  Full Stats Report please click here

RedWeb What the Sunday Papers say please click here

Falkirk	2	Hamilton	0
Hearts	1	St. Johnstone	2
Motherwell	1	Aberdeen	1
Rangers	3	Kilmarnock	0
St. Mirren	1	Hibernian	1
Sunday
Dundee Utd	-	Celtic	-

"The sending-off was ludicrous.

"He just lifted his top over his head and patted his tummy because his wife is expecting. For a player to be sent off for that is a joke. I mean he's not even taken his jersey off, he has lifted it over his head.

"That's not what the game's about. Sendings-off should be about dangerous play and things like that. We're here to be entertained.

"He didn't take his top off. He'll miss the Rangers game now. I thought he had to take his jersey off to be booked. I think the ref will argue that he is interpreting the rules but that can't be right. It's just ridiculous.

"Getting sent off for something like that makes a mockery of the game.

"I suppose you would say when you go down to 10 men you would take a point, but I'm disappointed. We had so many chances we have to take more than one.

"Their goalkeeper had a fantastic game. He made some great saves.

"In terms of chances we could have won the game; in terms of possession they won the game.

"I'm a little disappointed that we have not won the game.

"We were satisfied at half-time. We felt the goal was against the run of play. To be 1-0 down, we felt hard done by but we felt if we kept our discipline and kept our shape we would make more chances.

"We got better in the second half. I am convinced had we kept 11 men on the park we might have gone on and won it."

RedTV

Mark McGhee Pre Match interview with David - the manager explains his team choices please click here

Mark McGhee Post Match interview with Steven - the manager looks back over another action packed 90 minutes please click here

Mark Kerr Post Match - the captain gives his thoughts on the game to the media please click here

Richard Foster Post Match - todays left back gives the thoughts from the dressing room please click here

The audio highlights - the game today from the view of the RedTV team please click here

U19s

Aberdeen U19s 6 St Johnstone 0

Match report, redimages, Neil Cooper, RedTV action please click here