Aberdeen 1-1 HJK Helsinki: Pittodrie side pick up first European point in 16 years

Bojan Miovski earned Aberdeen’s first European point in almost 16 years with a late Europa Conference League equaliser against HJK Helsinki.

However, a battered and bruised home side fought their way back into the game, with Miovski’s well-placed header setting up a frantic finale.

Aberdeen had to settle for a draw, though, and are joint bottom of Group G along with their Finnish visitors after PAOK beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in Greece.

A surprisingly subdued home crowd was finally awoken as the home side went close with two headed chances.

Duk’s deft flick was saved instinctively by Jesse Ost, before Miovski’s powered effort dropped agonisingly wide of a post.

On the European stage, it was never in doubt that the Aberdeen players would have to stick their heads above the parapet. Barry Robson’s side more than met that task, but would leave wounded for it.

Duk’s head would first collide with the arm of Georgios Kanellopoulos as home fans demanded the HJK player see red.

Instead, it would be Richard Jensen catching a glimpse of Aberdeen’s famous colour when he suffered a cut after cracking heads with his Cape Verdean team-mate.

The tussling continued in the second period before HJK hit the front when Radulovic gratefully accept a cut back to stroke the ball far beyond Kelle Roos.

It seemed as though Aberdeen would remain without a point on their first adventure in European football proper since 2007/08, but Miovski’s eighth goal of the season snatched a point as his side remained unbeaten in four games.

Salvation could well have become elation when Duk found himself through moments after the equaliser, but a lack of composure prevented a Pittodrie night to savour.

More to follow.