Aberdeen have work to do if they are to make the third qualifying round of the Europa League after being held to a draw by NK Siroki Brijeg at Pittodrie last night.
The Dons deservedly led through Ryan Christie’s low shot but Goran Sablic’s side took advantage of sloppy defending to score an equaliser which leaves the Dons needing to score in the return leg next week.
The Dons handed competitive debuts to three of their summer signings with Gary Mackay-Steven, who joined on Wednesday from Celtic, joining Greg Tansey and Ryan Christie in the starting 11.
Fellow newcomers Greg Stewart and Nicky Maynard, were among the substitutes.
Following the early exits of Rangers and St Johnstone from the competition in the previous round the Dons started their campaign as Scotland’s sole representatives in the competition and they were in no mood to join their fellow clubs in making an early exit as they swept into an early lead.
It took until the 17th minute to arrive but it had been coming with Christie testing Luka Bilobrk with a free kick prior to the opening goal which came when the on-loan Celtic midfielder ran on to a Joe Lewis long kick before firing past the Siroki Brijeg goalkeeper from 20 yards.
The Dons almost added a second when Mackay-Steven raced clear of goal but Siroki Brijeg defender Bernardo Matic managed to deflect his effort wide for a corner after the midfielder had taken the ball past goalkeeper Bilobrk.
Aberdeen kept the pressure on the visitors but could not add to their tally and it was the Blues who came close to equalising just before half-tine through Luka Menalo but he sent his glancing header wide.
Graeme Shinnie saw a shot blocked in the second half as Aberdeen tried to double their lead but the visitors went close again through Dejan Cabraja but the midfielder headed wide from eight yards.
Shay Logan then saw a header saved as Aberdeen pushed for a second but they were caught when the visitors drew level with a goal out of nothing.
One break down the right was all it took with Ivan Krstanovic’s cross from the right finding Stipo Markovic unmarked on the edge of the box and he had time to control the ball before firing past Lewis.
