Late drama as Dons claim a well deserved point at Fir Park

Motherwell 2 | McManus 47′, Francis-Angol 70′

Aberdeen 2 | Rooney 66′, Anderson 90+3′

SPFL Scottish Premiership | Fir Park | 3pm kick off | FT | Att: 5,766

Match summary:

Another late show from the Dons at Fir Park saw them grab a deserved equaliser when Russell Anderson’s goal three minutes into stoppage time sent them back north with a point.

The Dons started the game well but were dealt an early blow when Ryan Jack had to be stretchered off after a poor challenge by Hutchinson. Ryan was replaced by Peter Pawlett. Jamie Langfield made an excellent save from Sutton on 17 minutes but after that the Dons created some decent opportunities- Robson hit the post with an effort before debutant Adam Rooney sent a header and a shot just over the bar before the break.

2 minutes into the second half Motherwell took the lead when McManus rose well to head home for The Steelmen. It was all about The Dons after that as they laid siege on the Motherwell goal- debutant Rooney saw another effort scrambled away by the home side before Hayes played in a great cross for Shaughnessy but he couldn’t connect properly and the chance was wasted. Then on 66 minutes they finally got a reward for their play when Adam Rooney headed home after Nielsen had saved Niall McGinn’s dipping volley.

The score line didn’t stay 1-1 for long though as 3 minutes later Motherwell surged up the park and John Sutton & Francis-Angol raced into the box to meet an Anier cross- with the latter appearing to get the final touch to give his side the lead again. Despite this further set back, it was the visitors who continued to dominate play and created several more chances and eventually- in the third of five stoppage time minutes- Russell Anderson rose to head home a deserved equaliser. A vital point gained in the league which keeps The Dons in second place as attentions now turn to next Saturday’s League Cup Semi Final at Tynecastle.

The game went ahead at Fir Park after passing a late pitch inspection following heavy rain overnight in Lanarkshire. Derek McInnes handed new signing Adam Rooney his first start as a Dons player and made two other changes to the team with Jonny Hayes and Joe Shaughnessy also coming into the side. Out went Scott Vernon, Alan Tate and Peter Pawlett- all three found a place on the bench. The full line up was:

Aberdeen team: Langfield, Shaughnessy, Anderson, Reynolds, Considine, Jack (Pawlett 10′), Flood, Hayes, Robson (Low 63′), McGinn, Rooney

Substitutes not used: Weaver, Tate, Zola, Vernon, Magennis